Kyle Bennett
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs
Place of Birth: Conroe, Texas
Residence: Conroe, Texas
Pro Team/Sponsors: Free Agent
Personal
Twenty-year BMX veteran Kyle Bennett is a smooth and stylish rider who also happens to be the most decorated American BMXer at the international level. With three UCI elite world championships (2002-03,'07) to his credit, the native Texan is all but assured a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team given his consistent position at or near the top of the international rankings.
Kyle began competing in the sport of BMX racing when his grandfather took him to the Armadillo Downs BMX Track in Conroe for his first race at the age of seven. Fourteen years later, Kyle turned pro and in 2002 captured a silver medal at the X Games - then the sport's biggest stage.
Kyle's successful career was also inspired by his stepfather, former BMX pro John Purse. Technically, the two form the only father-son combination to win world championships. In addition to Kyle's three titles, John captured a rainbow jersey in 1997. They both also held National Bicycle League number-one rankings, Kyle in 2002, 2004 and 2007 and John in 1995 and 1996. In fact, when John was an up-and-coming pro and Kyle was just an amateur, the two even competed on the same team, riding for S&S Racing in 1991.
In January of 2008, Kyle became a proud father to his first daughter, Kylie. When he's not racing, he rides for fun in skate parks and on trails, fishes, plays tennis and enjoys Italian food and country music.
Points of Interest
- After suffering a torn ACL in 2006 which required reconstructive surgery, Kyle returned to the playing field less than a year later and captured a world championship in 2007.
- Kyle's smooth riding style has earned him the nickname "Butter" by his fellow competitors.
