Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1488031
INTERVIEW I AFT SINGLES CHAMPION KODY KOP P120 Kopp already boasts signifi- cant experience and confidence aboard a twin following a 2020 season in which Indian Motor- cycle blessed him with one of the much-vaunted FTR750s to campaign at various amateur outlaw races. But his professional twin debut remains somewhere down the road, and he understands there is still much to learn before he's truly ready to make that gi- ant leap. "While my throttle control will be big in the twin class, one thing I know I'm going to strug- gle with, as of right now, is just being a well-rounded rider. I've got to continue improving my all-around skills before we make the transition. I'll just straight-up say it—those top guys in SuperT- wins are animals. On a TT, even with my size actually working in my favor, there's no way we could hang." The next step toward that end goal is successfully de- fending his Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Championship. That's a feat only one rider—Dallas Daniels—has previously ac- complished, and even Daniels found holding onto the number- one plate significantly more challenging than earning it in the first place. Kopp is properly motivated for the task ahead, thanks in part to the 2022 class runner-up Dalton Gauthier, who started Kody's off- season on the right foot. Following Kopp's aforemen- tioned cathartic return to the top of the podium at the season's penultimate round, he hoped to sweep the finale but was instead tracked down and beaten to the checkered flag by rival Gauthier. It was a tough pill to swal- low, but, at the same time, the right medicine. "We were close in the finale but ended up second again, just like in '21. Dalton got me. He was riding good. "I almost think it was for the best. Nothing against him, but he'll go into the off-season feeling like he's got the upper hand on everyone by winning the last round. "But it just forces me to work harder. It provides that extra motivation. I didn't go out on top, and I feel that's a good thing. It makes me hungrier for next year." CN "I didn't go out on top, and I feel that's a good thing. It makes me hungrier for next year."