MITCHELL JOHNSON: Kayden Minear going full throttle in AMA Supercross 250cc series
The name Chad Reed comes to mind, as he made a name for himself racing against the best in America.
More recently, the Lawrence brothers, Jett and Hunter, have been making waves.
Jett currently leads the AMA Supercross series in the 450cc division and Hunter sits third.
Those who don't follow the sport closely might not realise just how big it is in the United States.
Many young riders dream of racing in the series one day, so it's encouraging to see the Australians dominate over there and it inspires young riders to go to that level one day.
Last weekend marked an exciting opportunity for another Australian — a Western Australian to be precise — who is now chasing his dream of racing in the AMA Supercross 250cc series.
Kayden Minear has been a promising talent for several years and made his US pro Motocross debut at the Thunder Valley National where he finished 18 and 11th respectively in two races.
Now 18 years old, this moment didn't come out of nowhere. It's the result of hard work and determination.
I have a personal connection to Kayden and his family. His dad, Dylan Minear, and I are close friends from high school.
Several years later, Dylan and his wife Skye asked my wife Jess and me to be Kayden's godparents, which we were honoured to accept.
We are incredibly proud of Kayden's achievements in the sport so far.
He started riding when he was just five and showed an adventurous spirit right from the start. Kayden's dream of racing in America developed early on and watching his journey to this opportunity has been nothing short of impressive.
I recall a time when he stayed over at our place when he was younger and insisted on swimming.
He was determined to master freestyle before getting out of the water, showcasing a tenacity that hinted at his future as a rider. It was a never-give-up attitude.
That determination — perhaps bordering on stubbornness — has always been a hallmark of Kayden's character. Seeing him in this position, ready to compete, is no surprise.
He's always held onto that dream of becoming a pro supercross rider and now his time has come to make it a reality.
Kayden has worked his way through the ranks and has been a champion in the Australian motocross series.
He's even represented Australia as a junior overseas, where he performed well against the best at his age.
His journey so far has been remarkable, and his commitment to the sport has been unwavering. K
Kayden was homeschooled through a significant portion of high school, which allowed him to train daily on the track his parents built for him and his two brothers in their backyard.
As his ambitions grew, his family made the big decision to move to Victoria so he could race more often. Soon after, he relocated to Brisbane for new opportunities. At the end of last year, Kayden got the chance to ride in Florida, where he met Chad Reed and had another opportunity to learn from the best.
During a three-week event designed for riders like him, Kayden's talent shone through. He impressed everyone in the first week of training and racing so much that the Yamaha team signed him to compete in their amateur series.
Kayden's dream has come to fruition and he has the unwavering support of his family behind him.
The challenges that have brought him to this moment are now part of his past, the opportunity to do what he loves is fascinating and there are new memories to be made.
He's on a new bike that's a step up from the amateur level, racing with a new number, 106 (which replaces the 66 he carried through his junior career). Now, he'll be competing in front of a crowd and against the best in the 250cc series — exactly what he's always wanted.
Everything is perfect — aside from perhaps the number change, but that won't bother him one bit! It's all about the dream and he is living it.
And that dream will also be supported by his family, who have been there for him every step of the way on his journey. Their unwavering support has played a crucial role in his development as a rider and has guided him to overcome the challenges along the way.
Kayden's parents along with his brothers, as well as family and friends, have always been his biggest fans, cheering him on and providing the encouragement he needed to pursue his passion.
It's heartwarming to see how a strong family bond can fuel someone's dreams and aspirations. With their backing, Kayden is ready to take on this new chapter in his career and make the most of the opportunities ahead.
I know he has a huge support network in WA and within the Australian motocross community, all of whom will be cheering him on.
This is just the beginning of his pro journey, and it will be thrilling to see what this determined young man can achieve at this level.
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