2022 GOALS: Speedy Izaac Kennedy (AUS)

Jan 31, 2022

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3296 times

The Olympic cycle starts all over again this year. It's only 3 years now till Paris 2024 and preparation has started already. Australia's Izaac Kennedy has Paris in mind, and he will be there this time. But that means dedication to the training program, eating healthy and running the correct bike with the best bike parts. Read on to see what Izaac has in store for us this year.

Name: Izaac Kennedy
Age: 21
Hometown: Gold Coast, Australia
Sponsors: Speedco, LUXBMX, Knobby, Vans

Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Izaac Kennedy: Well no it didn’t go how I wanted it to with dealing with an injury and not being selected for the Olympics but overall, it was still a solid year. I made the final at the UCI World's, a few USABMX podiums, finished the year off with another National title and got to travel the world racing my bike so still a lot positives to take from it.

With the start of the new year, are you always looking to become a faster racer?
Izaac Kennedy: Of course, that’s the goal every day I wake up is to put in the work and be a faster racer. I want to be the best I can be, and I enjoy the process of training.

Have you picked your races for 2022 yet?
Izaac Kennedy: Yeah, I have a bit of a plan for now. I will be in the USA more this year I will be at most of the pro races and still following the UCI World Cups/World Champs.

You changed to SpeedCo? What's your first impression on the new bike?
Izaac Kennedy: It feels awesome. I felt really comfortable the first day I rode it and I like how much control I have on it. It is super stiff out of the gate and the lighter bike allows me to throw it around and be a bit more aggressive through the straights.

Do you generally test things in the off season like different tires, different sized frames, wider bars, longer stems, different gears?
Izaac Kennedy: Well this year obviously a lot has changed. Completely new bike for me so I have just been adjusting to that before I go crazy on changing other parts but I will try some new stuff for sure.

What racing gear will you be running in 2022?
Izaac Kennedy: I won’t stick to one gear for the whole year.

What's the helmet of your choice for the new season?
Izaac Kennedy: TLD D4.

Do you intend to eat better in 2022?
Izaac Kennedy: I already follow a pretty healthy diet so I will just keep following that.

Has your training schedule changed from last year?
Izaac Kennedy: Yes and no. Working on some other stuff but training is generally the same.

Who is helping you with your training schedule?
Izaac Kennedy: Sean Dwight

Do you get help with mental coaching?
Izaac Kennedy: My coach Sean helps me with that stuff.

What's your local BMX track that you ride the most?
Izaac Kennedy: Nerang BMX is where I ride most of the time. Awesome facility to train on.

Do you ride pump tracks and trails to improve your bike handling skills?
Izaac Kennedy: No. I did a lot when I was younger, so I think I developed a lot of those skills then. We race on a track, so that is where I work on going faster but it’s for sure fun to ride some different stuff every now and then.

What are your strengths?
Izaac Kennedy: My skills to gain speed and go fast and I think I have a pretty good race IQ and can set up moves and make passes if I need to.

What are your weaknesses?
Izaac Kennedy: My first straights aren’t the worst but for sure room for improvement to make sure I am out front all the time. I think I am pretty good off the big hill but working on getting better off the small hills. And USABMX pedal manuals lol.

What are your goals for 2022?
Izaac Kennedy: I have some goals but overall I just want to be in the mix and be in the finals, podium or even win at every race I’m at. I would love to be in the hunt for the USABMX title but I’m just going to do my best and see what happens.

Pics by Bruce Morris