Frid’Eh Update #26 | Kaven Benoit | Brought to You by Dirt Care
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #26 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. THis Update is being finished from the back seat of the #dmxdirtcarevan as we head to Ste Julie. I’ve got 2 young Triple Crown Series crew members with me for the drive east. So far, it’s been about as bad as the 401 gets with tons of traffic and slowdowns. I’m taking a short break from driving, so if this is the last sentence I ever type, tell Emily I love her! 🤣
There have been a few big stories in Canadian moto the last few days, so we’ll touch on that after we get our interview with the #26 honouree.
Kaven Benoit holds his familiar number again this season. Kaven is a 3-time 250 champion. He took a 10-year break from the class and then came back and won it for his 3rd in 2024. It was actually pretty amazing. We’ve seen him race and win the Premix class, too.
He moved up to the 450 class and went head-to-head with his teammate Davi Millsaps in 2016. Davi had him pegged as a future multi-time champion but then Kaven stepped away from the sport. We asked him about that.
He also had one of the most memorable 250 seasons anyone can remember when he went bar-to-bar with American Vince Friese and had to deal with the headaches that go along with that all summer long. One of my favourite stories from that year was that whenever I’d interview Vince, he’d never call Kaven by his proper name. He’d call him “Kevin Bennett” on purpose just to be a….well, Vince. It was great.
Direct Motocross: Hey, Kaven. There are a few things to talk about with you this week. First off, let’s get your numbers: Where are you from, how tall are you, and what is your weight?
Kaven Benoit: I’m from Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil, QC, 5 feet 10 and a half inches, 160 pounds.
3 Canadian 250 titles, winning the Montreal Supercross, and an amazing showing at the 2016 MXON in Italy. Looking back over your career, what stands out as the highlight for you?
It hasn’t changed over the years – definitely 2016 MXON in Italy.
You moved up to the 450 class and had to go up against Davi Millsaps. He had you pegged as a future champion. What made you step away from the sport?
Different reasons. I had been going at it for a long time at that point. First child on the way, many consecutive injuries, I had enough at that time. Just a combination of things I would say.
You came out and raced the 2nd last 250 round last summer and finished 1-2 for 1st at Motocross Deschambault. I think you were more surprised than I was. Can you take us through that experience?
That was a crazy experience. I was active on the bike last year as I raced the provincials. I was no way in a National type of shape though. We had that plan to race Deschambault with the number 1 plate. I spent the week watching the ECAN with my two kids and was enjoying life. Showed up on Sunday to have fun with maybe the expectation of reaching the podium. It turned out even better. My years of experience were really helpful on that day. Crazy memories!
What is it you’ve been doing as your steady job since you left racing?
I am busy with coaching on my end and with KTM. I try to maximize the summer season as much as possible. Having a small training track at my place has really helped with that the last 2 years. Between being an ambassador for KTM, racing part time and coaching I am able to pay my bills.
Will we see you on the line at Ste Julie or MX Deschambault this summer?
No racing for me this summer. I have a torn meniscus right now that is keeping me away from the bike. I am supposed to get that fixed before end of summer.
Oh, that sucks. What is your bike of choice when you ride?
Either a KTM 350sxf or KTM 250sx.
With Matt Deroy stepping away, will you do any more at KTM Canada to fill the gap?
I will be replacing Matt for the rest of the season as racing manager. It is a transition we are doing at the moment. It’s big shoes to fill in and will do my best to keep down the fort. I will be helped by Darian Sanayei (US Amateur Manager) and Nico (Hebert) our head mechanic.
We actually held a National at your track. How come it was only a one-year thing? Would you guys ever consider doing it again?
It was a last minute switch at that time because the event couldn’t be held at Ulverton. We are not doing any more motocross events there. It stopped in 2019.
Every once in a while, your insane battles with Vince Friese come up in conversation. We all got a kick out of it but I don’t think that was how you felt. Can you sum that summer up for us?
What i remember out of that summer is my first Canadian Championship. Dealing with him is not part of my memory book 😉
Love it. Are you a full-on moto dad these days? What activities do your kids like?
I am not a full on moto dad. My kids ride a bit but they are not all about it. They ride couple times per summer. My boy likes soccer, hockey and bicycle. My daughter does whatever her brother is doing.
OK, thanks for talking with us this week. See you in Quebec. Would you like to thank anyone here while you have the chance?
Of course, I will be around this weekend. I would like to thank KTM Canada Race team and its sponsors for the continuous love and support. Long time sponsor like Oakley which I have had a great relationship for more than 15 years now, Fuel Factory and Coffrage Evolution two of my personal sponsors.
Podcast | Preston Kilroy Talks about His Sudden Move Up to the 450 Class
Defending 2025 Canadian Triple Crown Series 250 Motocross Nationals champion Preston Kilroy has been moved up to the 450 class after 2 rounds due to the ACL injury sustained to teammate Jess Pettis. It was a sudden move that took everyone by surprise so we called Preston to get his side of how this decision came to be.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Find it wherever you get your podcasts.
Phil Nicoletti to Race MX Deschambault and Run the 450 #1 Plate
Although Phil Nicoletti didn’t return to Canada to defend his 450 title, he will make a one-off appearance at Motocross Deschambault on July 26 to ride his Husqvarna at the National just west of Quebec City.
Here’s the video announcement:
Will he win? No, but he’ll sure bring some Filthy Fans out of the woodwork!
Kade Johnson Returning to Race in Canada
Kade Johnson is currently sitting 5th in 250 points after the first 2 rounds. He’s just 2 points out of 3rd and 18 behind Kilroy out front.
He went and raced his first AMA Pro Motocross National at High Point last week and told us he may or may not be coming back to Canada. Fortunately for our series, he’s made the decision to return and fight for a title here. I’ve also heard he’ll have our own TJ Lanphear from Dirt Care at the line with him this week, so that’s pretty cool.
It’s a week off from the AMA series this week, so let’s see who that drags over the border to race at Ste Julie on Sunday.
I’d better get back to the driver’s seat. I actually sort of feel my age when I look at the speedometer from the back seat and it’s reading 154kph.
See you at Ste Julie this weekend. Do we have anyone in the 250 Junior class to battle #165 Braxton Becker for the Dirt Care “Stud Status”? I guess we’ll find out.
Let’s end this week with a lap of Kaven’s home track when they held a round of the Nationals in 2017:
“See you at the races…“
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