Tim's Paddock - Aragon & Misano
Waiting 1,043 days is no small feat for anything—that is nearly 2.93 years if you’re keeping track. As a former world champion, I imagine it felt like a decade for Marc Marquez. I can’t help but admire the resilience it takes to navigate such an extended period between race wins. Imagine the self-doubt, the tough decision to leave a long-term partnership like HRC, adapting to a new machine, and facing competitors with a year newer bike—a significant time in the rapidly evolving world of racing motorcycle development. Yet despite that long wait, it only took another seven days for win #2 to come, and that confidence should make the rest of the season a barn burner.
Winning both the Sprint and GP races so decisively is an extraordinary achievement. To do so on your home track, a place that nearly ended your career at age 29 back in 2020, makes it even more impressive. With some brief intervention in the form of rain this last Sunday, it was all Marc Marquez needed to pounce again and grab the win at Misano. I must wonder if the look on Pecco Bagnai’s post-race face during the interview was more concerned he couldn’t catch Marquez than frustration from the weekend. With Marquez firmly back in the competition, the racing world feels revitalized, and his presence adds a missing edge to the sport. For me, this season is even more exciting because of it. The past is buried, and a new chapter begins.
You might wonder why I’m highlighting an athlete associated with another helmet brand. The answer is simple: careers in racing can shift dramatically with just one race. Just ask Pecco Bagnaia or Jorge Martin. At KYT Americas, we fully understand the crucial role of premium quality helmets for racers and riders. Each KYT team member is a current or former racer, and we all still ride. We take our helmets very seriously. Our unwavering commitment to excellence sets us apart, and we recognize that selling a premium helmet is a unique experience for distributors, sales reps, and dealers. As a KYT dealer, you should be proud and confident in your choice to sell our helmets.
Our new FIM-homologated KX-1 helmet, worn by Bastianini on the factory Ducati, represents over two years of rigorous on-track development. This meticulous process ensures that every detail has been tested and refined for the highest performance. The KX-1 provides a significant advantage for racers with its exceptional design, wide peripheral eye port for enhanced visibility, and aerodynamic features that help you stay focused on braking and cornering points even at the highest speeds.
If someone told me I couldn’t use my NZ race helmet on a ride, I’d either forgo riding or, more likely, fight you over it. My attachment to my helmet is that strong. After four decades in the industry, I know the leaders of most helmet brands in the US, and with one call, I could get just about any helmet I wanted. I chose KYT before working with the brand. My choice was based on design, product development, quality, value, style, and, most importantly, fit. My helmet is the best-fitting helmet I have ever worn, period. Also, my KYT is definitely sexy, and who doesn’t want to look good on your bike? My loyalty to KYT remains steadfast. There’s nothing more fulfilling than offering a product you genuinely believe in, and working with KYT is a source of great joy, especially when speaking with our great customers at events and races. I want to assure you that my endorsement of KYT is both professional and deeply personal, and I believe we have products that are category leaders at each price point we service.
I hope to see you soon at an event or race. If so, stop by and say hello. We love to speak with our passionate riders and racers!
Warm regards,
Tim Calhoun
National Sales Manager
KYT Americas