Photography: John Parkinson

Tevin Tapia has managed to do what not many other riders have done. He’s gone from never really having a ride as an amateur to landing himself on a team only a few short weeks before his pro debut at Glen Helen. He’s officially made the switch from Kawasaki to KTM and is currently in Virginia training for the big showdown on May 23. It’s been a long road for Mr. Tapia, but he’s toughed it out every step of the way. Read on to find out all you need to know about his new KTM deal and much, much more.

Alright, Tevin, let’s cut to the chase here. We originally heard that you were going to race Glen Helen in the 450 class, then we see you on a KTM in Las Vegas and heard you were getting ride with them for next year. Give us the low down on what’s going on?
Yeah, at Oak Hill Al Albiker came up to me and talked to me about this KTM deal he had going on for the Outdoor Nationals. He and Craig Ross - the agent - were getting all the sponsors put together at the time and he told us to give him a call after Oak Hill to see if we could work something out. We talked to him soon after that and I ended up getting on KTM’s about two days before Vegas. I got to ride the bike twice before the World Mini’s and then I just went out there and did work.

Who is on the team and will you guys be running the entire outdoor schedule?
Right now it’s only me and Mike Picone. They are still talking to Tyler Wharton about riding 450’s, but no deal has been made as of yet. I’m going to be starting at Glen Helen and doing all the rounds from that point on. Picone isn’t quite ready yet because he had knee surgery, so he’s probably going to start at Freestone or High Point.

How does one go from not being able to get a ride throughout their entire amateur career, to getting on a team heading into their first full season as a pro? It’s almost unheard of!
Dude, I am so stoked that this deal worked out for me. Al used to sponsor me back on 50’s, so he kind of knew that I had it in me. To be back working with him just makes me so happy. We’re going to make things happen. He’s really excited as well.

So you are in Virginia at the moment. What’s going on over there?
Yeah, I’m in Virginia right now just getting ready. Me and Picone, some of the Champion Cycle kids and Darren Jernigan (owner of Champion) are just getting things done. I’m staying with Darren, actually. We go to the gym every morning, then we get bikes ready and go ride out at Zach Osborne’s house. He has two outdoor tracks and a supercross track. They call it The Farm. We go out there and do motos everyday, then head back to the shop to fix up bikes, then pretty much call it a day and get ready to do it all over again. Then three times a week Mike and I have our own trainer we go meet with.

So you guys are doing work, huh?
Oh yeah, for sure.

You are originally from Washington State, but have lived all over. How is it training of the east coast for a change?
I’m liking it. It’s really hot out here and that’s good for me. I like training in the heat, it helps get my body acclimated to all the outdoor nationals that are really hot, you know? Then I went to a race last weekend and like ten top pros were there, so it’s good.

Where did you go last weekend?
I went to Thunder Valley in Tennessee.

How did you do there?
I won the overall in the 250 A class and I crashed in the first moto of the 450 A class. I was on a stock 250F, so I got 7th that moto. The next moto I got second right behind Ian Trettel. Then on Sunday I was coming through the pack in my first 250 moto and I just passed into second and was trying to reel in Trettel when Shawn Rife got a little dirty on me. He kind of t-boned me in a corner when I was already turning and ran over my hand. I never went down, but he kind of ran over my hand when I was still on the bike. It’s actually pretty gnarly. I probably need some stitches in it, but I just decided to duct tape it up and put a little bit of super glue on it instead.

When do you guys head out to California?
My dad actually got hired as the truck driver for the team, so after the East/West Vegas Shootout he’s going to drive out here with the truck and we’re going to make some plans from there.

Have you set any goals for Glen Helen yet? Are you ready to do 30 + 2?
Oh yeah, I’m doing that every day. I know I have the potential to be a top ten guy. My speed is there I just have to be able to do it every single lap of every single moto.

Any sponsor changes? Will you still be with Fly?
Yeah, I’m still with Fly, Scott Goggles and Scott boots. We haven’t put all the sponsors together for the team. That will all be together after Vegas so I can’t really say about sponsors yet. The only things I know for sure know are KTM and Champion Cycles.

What number will you be running?
Right now its 581, which was my dad’s number when he raced pro. But I have to call Scuba (Steven Clarke) because 211 is reserved for him because he ran it last year, but he told me that he was going to run 77. So I just need to get in touch with him and see if he will call into the AMA and let the number go for me.

Your fate is in Scuba’s hands it sounds like?
(Laughs) Yeah, I know!

Are you nervous about Glen Helen?
I’m more excited than nervous. I’m sure I’ll be nervous when I get there but for right now I’m just excited.

Any parting words?
I’d like to give a big thanks to Darren Jernigan, Al Albiker. My mom, dad, brother and sister for sticking with me all these years and Alonzo Brown, Craig Ross and all my sponsors who stuck with me through my amateur stuff.