Kyle had the second half of the 2007 season derailed by an SUV on the eve of the Philadelphia Cycling Championship. As a result, he was unable to contest one of his main goals for the season, the USPRO Criterium Championship. Back to health, look for Kyle to make his mark as a top-tier sprinter in 2008.
Date of Birth/Location: 5/3/1983; Palm Desert, California
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 150 lbs
Current Residence: Mission Viejo, California
Education (include years):
High School: American International School of Dhaka Bangladesh;
BA San Diego State University, Applied Design
Years Racing: 6
Years as a Pro: 4
Previous Team(s)/Year(s):
Health Net p/b Maxxis, 2006-07
Seasilver 2005, Monex 2004
Strengths on the bike:
Sprinter and all-arounder
Strengths off the bike:
Drawing, painting, furniture design and tennis
Nickname: Buckwheat
Family Status: Married to Dianna, March 11, 2006
Favorite Movies:
Ace Ventura Pet Detective,
Dances With Wolves
Currently on my iPod:
All different kinds of music, mostly Christian Music
Little known fact about Kyle:
I grew up in the Philippines and Bangladesh
Palmares
Career Highlights
U23 National Criterium Champion, 2005
Wins:
2007
1st Bario Logan California State Crit Champs
2006
1st Bario Logan California State Crit Champs
1st El Cajon GP
1st La Mirada GP
2005
U23 National Criterium Champion
Best Young Rider, Sea Otter Classic
2004
1st U23 Sea Otter Circuit Race
Other Major Results:
2007
3rd Red Trolley Criterium
2006
2nd Health Net Portland Criterium
2nd San Luis Rey RR
3rd Manhattan Beach Grand Prix
4th San Clemente Circuit Race
2005
3rd Tour de Nez Criterium
5th Athens Twilight Criterium
6th Cascade Classic Twilight Criterium
In his own words
After losing the second half of the 2007 season to the accident, are you entering 2008 with more motivation than usual?
I definitely think there is more motivation. Three months was the longest I have gone on the disabled list in my life. Sometimes I think it was harder for my wife dealing with me being around all the time and chomping at the bit to get outside and be active. I need the motivation to get me started in my training because I lost all my fitness so there is going to be more suffering to bounce back even stronger.
Have your goals or expectations changed any for the 2008 season?
Not really. I am looking forward to the smaller team and racing with the same teammates more often. We will be doing more racing so I want to stay healthy all year for the team and then hopefully get a shot at USPRO Crit.
How did you spend this off-season?
I did a little furniture work for some friends and I spent a lot of time volunteering and helping out at my church. I spent a month refinishing a kitchen and I made my church's new sign out of wood.
When did you start racing, and why?
My friend Mike Herdman convinced me to buy a road bike after taking me on a mountain bike ride in 2002. In an effort to stop Mike's nagging, I bought a bike and joined Bike Barn, the local team in Santa Maria, California. Next thing you know, I am moving through the ranks and now riding with the best riders in the country. Thanks Mike!
Who were/are your cycling mentors and/or influences?
Mike Herdman, Steve Hegg, Roberto Gaggioli
What was your first bike? When/how did you get it?
Schwin Fastback Banana Yellow; bought it at Supergo
What was your first win?
Cat. 5 Pomona Valley Stage Race
What would you consider your finest moment on the bike?
Crossing the finish line at U23 Nationals
What was your worst or most embarrassing moment on the bike?
Crashing and running across the finish line at Mothballs Criterium, Santa Barbara, the good old Cat 5 days
What's the strangest thing you've seen on a bike ride?
I was riding up Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA, with Neil Shirley when a goofball riding his bike decided to take a drink of water and in the process hit a large stick in road, throwing himself off his bike in slow motion into the middle of the street. And then screaming out in pain when there was nothing wrong with him.
What's the strangest thing you've done on a bike ride?
Rode a nose wheelie 50 feet at Superweek after hitting a four-foot cone, which Roberto said won me the race, but somehow I never saw the prize money.
What's the one thing you've done on a ride (training or race) that you will absolutely never do again?
Cut off Mike Sayers in the Yuma Criterium.
When you're not on your bike, what do you like to do?
Make furniture, read the Bible and draw.
If you weren't a pro cyclist, what would you be doing?
Goofing off more, and probably living in the desert where I was born and either teaching art or working in my Dad's nursery business.
