When Kyle Masters, of Clarkston, was five he wanted to be a national champion BMX rider like his older cousins Cameron and Grant Masters.
This year, Kyle caught up to his dream – he won the National Bicycle League National Championship in the six-year-old rookie division.
‘It really has not even been two years since he first started riding,? said Chris Masters, Kyle’s father.
Much like NASCAR, the NBL’s championship is determined by who has the most points. Kyle amassed 774 points over the past year, out-pedaling his competition by five points. He competed against upwards of 150 children.
‘I am just so proud of him,? said Patty Masters, Kyle’s mother. ‘I get chills (watching him race). He is just so driven. He doesn’t even think about losing.?
Kyle’s parents knew he would be something special when at age five he won a race in Lansing against many children older and more experienced than he was.
‘My husband was thinking ‘My gosh maybe he can be a national champion too,?? said Patty Masters.
Kyle trains regularly at Waterford Oaks and this past year traveled to Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida to compete. In all, Kyle competed in eight events this year. His five best were used to determine the NBL points.
‘He would have liked to go to more events too,? said Chris Masters.
Kyle races on Team Diamond and uses a bike of which only fifty were made.
One of the biggest thrills, aside from his trophy, Kyle experienced this summer was getting to meet his idol Kyle Bennett at Great Lakes Crossing. Bennett was the 2002 and 2004 NBL elite level champion.
Kyle plans to race in the upcoming NBL season and also participate in some events sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association.
‘I think about winning when I race,? said Kyle. ‘I felt really happy when I won, my trophy is taller than my mom.?
If everything goes well this season, Kyle’s parents will have to find some extra room for the mammoth trophies he will contend for this year.