Vet Master … Tyler Brown

Vet Master … Tyler Brown

When Tyler Brown isn’t winning UCI Masters World titles, two in a row now, or dominating the USA BMX Vet Pro class or travelling with Team USA or running his worldwide ‘316 Racing’ team, he’s talking care of the Chula Vista BMX track, probably the most visited track by Elite BMX racers on the planet … that’s a whole lot of BMX! In his own worlds ‘I am in BMX every day’ … it was about time with caught up with Mr. Brown …

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Photos by KIrby Cronk | Tyler Brown

15: First off … congrats on a flawless Vet Pro career to date. Have you even dropped a lap since you got the Vet License? Where there any hiccups at the first few rounds …

Tyler: Thank you!  Its been fun turning Vet and racing the guys.  I have been working full time for many years, and impossible to keep up with the younger Elite riders, so its fun for me to still be able to enjoy the passion of racing BMX along with my developing family life.  I lost 3 mains last year though.  Something I don’t want to happen again haha!  I am not going to ABQ this weekend, good luck to those that are!  So far, no hiccups in 2019, just trying to keep the streak alive!

15: We were thrilled to see Bubba Back on the gate in Phoenix, when you heard that, did you make any changes to your prep or race strategy, or was it just business as usual?

Tyler: I have been racing Bubba since I was 13 years old.  It was awesome to have him back in the gate, and racing again!  It was really one of the most fun races I have had since turning Vet!  Nothing really changed in my race prep other then a little fuel on the fire from all the people who said my ‘short run was about to be over’.  Race day strategy changed for sure, like I said I have been racing Bubba for 20 years and he rides different, but in a good way so it was fun to mix it up with him!

15: We hear he has the race itch again, which obviously adds to the Vet Pro class … are there any other riders on the cusp of turning Vet that we should keep an eye out for?

Tyler: I had a feeling I would see Bubba back on the gate.  Again, we had a lot of fun out there, and I could see he enjoyed himself too.  So, it’s no surprise!  I have heard a few guys like Tomas Fernandez, and Tyler Faro might be jumping into Vet or Master at worlds. I look forward to racing them later in the year!

15: When Elites retire, you usually hear them saying thinks like that’s it, I’ll never race Vet, but we don’t think you talked like that, if we’re not mistaken, you were counting the days, right? Why do you think retiring Elites that that stance towards Vet?

Tyler: I think it depends on the rider.  A guy like Bubba for example did everything you can do in BMX.  Won titles, World Champ, I understand wanting to hang it up after many years of high-level racing.  For me, my life is BMX, I run a track, work for USA Cycling, coach riders.  I am in BMX every day, it would be impossible for me to show up and not ride.  So, if I am going to keep riding, I might as well keep racing!  I love racing, and the time I spent away from it would have been next to impossible if I didn’t get to race the boys every Tuesday Night at Chula Vista BMX!

15: There are so many ‘older’ world class riders who could race vet / masters now, who would you like to line up on the gate with again on a regular basis?

Tyler: That’s a good question.  I am open to anyone getting in the class.  The more the better!  I know Allier said at one point he was thinking about it.  I looked up to him a ton when I was a kid, and raced him some as an Elite, so it would be cool to burn some laps with him again.

15: Zolder has got to be the goal this year, right? Has anyone won 3 jerseys in a row? Or even 2 for that matter?

Tyler: Of course, Worlds is always a goal!  I want to do the exact same as last year. I would love nothing more then to add another Worlds title, and USA BMX title to the resume!  Both of those titles are special in their own way.  As for back to back titles, I am not sure the Masters count?  I would be more then ok trying to put my name on the record book though!

15: And then there’s a potential 4th in 2020, right on your doorstep … is that on your radar?

Tyler: Of course, a Word Title on home soil is always on the radar!  There is a lot of races between now and then, but winning the title in Rock hill was pretty cool and having that crowd support is for sure amazing!

15: Will we see you at the UCI World Cups this year with USA Cycling? Give us a little insight to your role at those events … it’s a little unusual in the US set up as all the riders have their own coaches, right?

Tyler: I will be at a handful of the World Cups and most of the major events for USA Cycling.  With my little one on the way this summer I will be missing a few of the races.  You are correct my role at USA Cycling at events is a bit different as all the riders have personal coaches for the most part. I would say my role best described would be manager, advisor, and general helper!  I make sure everyone is signed up, pits are dialed, manage the day to day activities, film, review video, advise on track and race conditions, and generally whatever needs to be done! 

15: Word on the street is that you may be jumping back into the world of Podcasts, can you not convince Sam and Fitzwell to come back too? Would the new podcast fit the same format as Café Willoughby?

Tyler: Honestly, I have missed the show, and the outlet! Yes, I have seriously thought about another podcast.  I haven’t heard from Fitzwell in a LONG time, word is he went on drinking bender in the outback and hasn’t been seen since?  I have considered doing the live video, or maybe just simple audio.  Any advice?  What do people want to see?

15: Finally, congrats on the pending new addition to the family, the US is about to have an explosion in the strider class! Do you think there is potentially a new Factory Dad on the horizon … haha

Tyler: Haha, the class sure is getting deep!  That’s a great question.  I deal with factory Dad’s weekly, so I hope I don’t go to far off the deep end! My kid will for sure grow up at the BMX track, however absolutely zero pressure to race or not race!  I would be more then ok with either.