Interview: The Return of Mike Kapes

It started blowing up the forums on August 28, 2008. Most of the BMX universe was in, or headed to, Louisville for the NBL Grands. As people hit their hotels, news was breaking that the then-20-year old Floridian had accepted a suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, for testing positive for anabolic steroids. The suspension would effectively take Mike out of BMX racing til July 2010, as it would be recognized by the USAC and, by extension, their affiliates, the NBL and ABA.

This turned into an 80-post thread on Vintage, to be surpassed only by a bare-your-soul reply by Mike, himself (which got 151 replies). It’s a good read, so definitely check it out when you get a chance. Things are not always as they seem. Still, July 2010 seemed so far away.

Fast forward 20 months. The BMX world has marched on. 2012 Olympic fever is starting to gain tempo, and the caboose is in sight for Mike’s suspension—due to lapse on July 7. As part of his comeback, Mike has been training to get himself back up to AA form, and has brought on a brand new sponsor in Morphine Industries.

BMXNEWS sat down with Mike just before pro Practice (which he is permitted to ride in…yet he cannot compete) at the ABA Gator Nationals. Despite all that’s happened to him (the full story behind that is in the Vintage post made by him on September 2, 2008), Mike has a positive outlook, and is looking ahead to July 8 and beyond.

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