Kade Walker has lived a career that few riders could ever imagine. From leaving Canada at just 14 years old to chase his motocross dream in Europe, to battling in the GP paddock, switching disciplines to Enduro and off-road racing, and later winning championships in America, the Canadian has experienced the highs and lows of professional racing in full.
But Walker’s journey took a dramatic turn following a devastating crash at the 2023 Baja 1000, leaving him in a coma for 15 days and facing a long road to recovery after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Now, still fighting his way back physically, the 28-year-old has found a new purpose through coaching riders around the world and passing on the knowledge built over decades in the sport.
We caught up with Walker as he reflects on his early sacrifices, adapting from motocross to Enduro, his remarkable recovery journey and why coaching has given him a fresh outlook on life within motorsport.
GateDrop: Kade, it’s been a while since you’ve raced in the GP paddock so firstly can you remind people of your background in the sport?
Walker: I’m Kade Walker and I’m 28 years old. I started my career when I was 3 years old, racing around Canada and America. In 2011 the opportunity to race in Europe came. Last time I have been in the GP paddock was in 2020 for the EMX2T series where I finished 3rd in the Championship, from there started my Enduro era.
GateDrop: Leaving Canada at a young age – how was that? You seem to love Europe as you’re still living in Italy!
Walker: Leaving home and family at 14 years old is not easy, I was just a kid following his dream, but I have been lucky finding people who cared a lot about me and helped me grow in every way. I can’t thank enough Alberto Castellari and the whole team for all the help, they made my way easier for sure.
GateDrop: Just how tough is it to try and make it in the Motocross world? There’s a lot of good riders!
Walker: For sure there are a lot of good riders, nobody wants to go to a race and not win. I can prove that with the EMX2T Championship, I rode with a 2008 Suzuki given by a friend. It takes a lot of sacrifices by the rider and the team, but you know it was my “job”. You need to train a lot everyday and skip normal life, but for sure it was easier than answering this interview for me (laughs).
GateDrop: I think you ended up going down the Enduro path later in your career, how did you find that?
Walker: After Arco in 2020 I had no bike for the following year, I got a deal for a KTM team in Enduro. It was a big change. The bike, the race and even more the mindset is completely different. A World Championship race can last 8 hours, it’s definitely tougher on your body and your mind even more. I enjoyed it a lot, 2021 has been for sure the year where my career switched from Motocross to offroad.
GateDrop: You had a big accident which was a big injury, I think in 2023. Can you tell me a bit about that?
Walk: In 2023 I went back to USA. I won the first race with a Beta and then got a deal with factory Honda. I was riding the NGPC and WORCS in the 250cc class. I ended up winning the NGPC Championship and right after that we had Baja 1000, a team race in the desert. We were third when I got the bike and I was trying to reach first and then the big accident came.
GateDrop: Just how tough was it to recovery from that?
Walker: I’m still recovering after the crash. I had been in a coma for 15 days and when I woke up my right side of the body was completely paralyzed. I had a TBI injury and it’s been the hardest part honestly. It’s been the event that really changed my life. Right now I’m doing my rehab with my coach, Arianna, to regain all the movements. I’m feeling much better at the moment and I’m back on my feet so I can be thankful for that.
GateDrop: I believe you are now involved in coaching; how do you find that?
Walker: Of course after the crash I can’t be back on the bike, even if I tried sometimes just for fun to ride. I started my coaching era around the world because I belong to this world and I can’t stay out of it. I have been in Kuwait teaching too, what an amazing experience that was.
GateDrop: What kind of things to try and teach the riders that will go to you for coaching?
Walker: I always say that a happy rider, kid, can do things easier. So first of all you have to take it easy and make it step by step. You have to learn your bike and how to ride it to be safe and then of course to focus on technique.
GateDrop: What’s the things you enjoy most about coaching?
Walker: I really like to share my knowledge that I have matured in all the years that I raced. To see someone learn and improve is really satisfying. Kids asking and being curious is a fun part of it.
GateDrop: What’s the future look like for Kade Walker?
Walker: I would love to stay in the motorsport world as long as I can for sure. I’d like to keep doing schools all over the world but if an opportunity comes then I wouldn’t say no. With coaching I can continue my globetrotter lifestyle so if anyone is interested just call me or text me and I’ll be wherever you want.
I just want to thank Andy for the opportunity of doing this interview, people involved in my life, especially my girlfriend, and everybody that will read this.
