by Chase Stallo
250 Words: Kyle Peters Interview
Thursday, September 20, 2012 | 9:55 AM
GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing) is Yamaha’s performance and racing accessory brand. GYTR products are developed and tested to the highest standards by Yamaha’s in-house factory engineers. Used extensively by the Yamaha Race Teams, these factory parts are readily available to every Yamaha rider.
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Sometimes a successful amateur career can prove to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you are likely to land a top ride with a factory team and have all the tools to succeed in the palm of your hands. But with those amenities comes very high expectations to succeed early. Star-Valli Rockstar Yamaha’s Kyle Peters entered the pro ranks this season with a very successful amateur resume in his back pocket—including a 2011 250 A title from Loretta’s. But injuries derailed a once promising rookie season. And for an unproven rookie, a season wrecked by injuries can prove much more damaging than if you’re a proven veteran. For the North Carolina native, though, it has provided fuel to his every burning fire to succeed at the highest level. We talked with Peters earlier this week about his tough rookie campaign, his plans for 2013 and much more.
Racer X: You dealt with a lot of nagging injuries throughout your rookie season and didn’t put in the results you were expecting. Is it fair to say you were disappointed with how things went this year?
Kyle Peters: Yeah, it definitely wasn’t what we were expecting going into this year. Getting hurt right before supercross… I just feel like nothing really went my way this year. It was a big learning experience, and I know what not to do now.
What was one the biggest thing you took away from this season?
It would definitely be riding with an injury. I wasn’t putting in the results and I was riding hurt all year and just never really recovered. I’m really looking forward to next year.
Injuries played a major role in Peters' rookie season.
Simon Cudby photo
Peters status with Star-Valli Yamaha for 2013 is still up in the air as of right now.
Simon Cudby photo
Peters is hoping to stay healthy and bounce back from a tough rookie season in 2013.
Simon Cudby photo
Racer X: You dealt with a lot of nagging injuries throughout your rookie season and didn’t put in the results you were expecting. Is it fair to say you were disappointed with how things went this year?
Kyle Peters: Yeah, it definitely wasn’t what we were expecting going into this year. Getting hurt right before supercross… I just feel like nothing really went my way this year. It was a big learning experience, and I know what not to do now.
What was one the biggest thing you took away from this season?
It would definitely be riding with an injury. I wasn’t putting in the results and I was riding hurt all year and just never really recovered. I’m really looking forward to next year.
Injuries played a major role in Peters' rookie season.
Simon Cudby photo
Can you elaborate on the injuries you dealt with during the season?
Right before supercross I suffered a third degree AC separation in my left shoulder. I rode through supercross with that injury, but was feeling good towards the end of supercross and then got really sick before outdoors and it ended up being some issue with my kidneys. Then before Budds Creek I had an incident on my mountain bike and suffered a third degree AC separation in my right shoulder. It was definitely a tough year.
Obviously injuries played a big role in your season. How much were you able to ride and train during the week?
I wasn’t really able to ride much during the week. I tried to train as much as I could, but it is hard to keep it up without riding. It was tough, but I got through it and am looking forward to this coming year.
As far as 2013 is concerned, will you be back with Star-Valli Yamaha?
Everything is kind of up in the air right now. I’m just kind of waiting to see what happens right now.
Have you been in talks with Star-Valli about returning for next season? Also, have you been in talks with any other teams?
I talked with a few other teams, but everyone is full. Everything got done pretty early this season, or at least earlier than I’m use to. I have been in talks with Star-Valli, but not sure what will happen. Right now, I just went out and bought some bikes and am riding trying to get ready for next year.
Peters status with Star-Valli Yamaha for 2013 is still up in the air as of right now.
Simon Cudby photo
Has Star-Valli given you a time period, to where if you are not staying with the team you would be able to look elsewhere, or are you in limbo right now?
I’m just kind of in limbo right now. If that doesn’t work out I will probably go the privateer route and go after it.
You had a lot of expectations coming into your rookie season after a very successful amateur career, but injuries held you back for much of the season. Do you feel that you deserve another shot to prove that you’re a top rider when healthy?
For sure. It would definitely be really nice to have a second chance and show everyone what I can do. If I don’t get that chance it is what it is, and I will have to prove myself on a privateer bike.
When I spoke with you a couple of days ago you mentioned that you were still riding and training. Did your results this year motivate you to keep plugging away to be fully prepared for 2013?
For sure. It definitely has me fired up and has motivated me to train harder and harder to get it done.
Injuries held you back most of the season, and didn’t allow you to ride to your full capabilities, but what is one thing you are focusing on as you head into next year?
Just the intensity. Those guys are wide open for 30 plus two and it is definitely super intense.
You grew up on the east coast in North Carolina and then made the transition to California. If you were to go the privateer route, do you plan on riding the East Coast or the West Coast?
Right now the plan is to do West Coast Lites.
Peters is hoping to stay healthy and bounce back from a tough rookie season in 2013.
Simon Cudby photo
Do you plan to stay on the Yamaha next season?
To be honest, it’s all up in the air right now.
What are your goals heading into next season, now that you have a full season under your belt?
Realistically, I don’t want to finish outside the top-10. I learned a lot in supercross last year and know what to work on during the off-season. I’m hoping for some top-five’s, maybe some top-three’s. But the main thing is to stay healthy right now.
Do you have plans to go back east during the off-season, or are you going to be training out in California?
I’m going to head home this weekend for about a week and hang out with family and friends and ride there. Then I will head back to California to train for the rest of the off-season.
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Too many one (and done) year contracts in this sport. Agents should do a better job getting their guys multi year deals, even if for less money....and especially for rookies. At least that way they can have a throw away year if injuries happen.
Agree Muhamed - These guys are going at such a fast pace and riding all the time on the edge. It only takes one slight mishap and they're down with a season ending injury or in the case of K Peters they end up riding injured (not be able to put in the results they're capable of) and they end up losing there ride after one season. No loyatly from the factory teams. Something needs to change for these riders that put their life on the line everytime they throw a leg over the bike. I think Star Valli should step up and give Peters another year to show what he has. I didn't see Geico dump Hahn, Bell or Bogle after their injuries. Maybe these riders should consider what teams they go with prior to signing. Jeremy Martin - Watch out for Star Vali - You're only as good as your last race with them, so good luck in 2013 - obviously rider loyalty isn't a priority with this team. They should take some lessons from the likes of Geico and Pro Circuit...
Definately agreed___---- Never knew he was riding hurt just thought he was a little off pace. This sucks with 1 year deals, because if star valli drops him and he goes the privateer route we'll never get to see his true talent
why doesn't Mitch take a young man like this instead of Davalos?? Teach him to be a professional, on a great bike.....
@OrganDoner - Agree completely. Just look at what happened to Audette this year. He raced every round and scored two points. Although Wil Hahn and Durham have been able to turn their careers around. This is gonna reflect poorly on Star Valli though. What up and coming amatuer wants to sign with a team that only gives you one year to prove yourself, then throws you to the wolves?
Agree with Super Fro - Mitch - Davalos appears to be a poor choice. This guy is old and past his prime. I can see him as a fill in rider, but not the top rider on a top team. Peters would have been perfect on one of top two best bikes in the class. Well, I guess this answers why Geico completely smothered the top 4 or 5 positions every week in this class this year and won both the West & East 250 classes this year. Another miss Mitch especially with Davalos. I guess he's waiting for Super Mini's to allowed to race in the 250 Class - Go AC!
what i dont understand is star valli keeping cunningham and not peters, peters (im almost sure had better results this year and spent less time injured, or at least rode with his injuries. They should give peters another chance considering he hasn't been able to show his full potential and is just a rook. In my opinion a would have gone for martin and peters rather than cunningham, but thats just my opinion.
@shv11 - Good point. Its not as if Star Valli has some high standards for their riders. They stick with riders who are solid, but are likely past the chance of ever improving to race winning material, so why drop the rider with all the potential? You have to take a chance and roll the dice sometimes, otherwise you'l never improve as a team. If Star Valli drops him, they'll fall below AG Motorsports as my least favorite team, because at least they don't give up on riders so easily.
PC still has another spot!!!
Davalos is a great starter, mitch will make him a winner.
@ factory1 ........ Agreed, we'll see what he's really got under Mitch's tent. Davalos being on PC is exactly what another article on here said this week or last. Teams go after guys who can show the raw speed to win, whether they're consistent and can put it together or not. Davalos has shown the speed needed to win, he's just missing something else that Mitch obviously thinks he can provide.
I believe what factory1 says...DAvalos does have the speed. week in week out he's on the leader board in SX practices. he's just had trouble putting together the whole race start to finish, thats the first thing mitch will be working on. I hope he wins the title
Interviews like this make me love my job more and more... Do everything you know and still roll snake eyes. No Bueno. Keep pushing, and maybe you will have a breakout like Baggett did!