I don’t think anyone really saw this one coming, but this week Karl Poynter announced he has left his position on the Sunday pro team to ride for Eastern Bikes. We hit up Karl to get the scoop on the situation, his decisions, and what he has planned going forward with the new sponsor.
Photo courtesy of Karl Poynter.
So in a nutshell, how did the sponsor switch come about?
I felt that the progression between Sunday and me had reached its peak and it was time for something new. I had always been a fan of Eastern and what they are about, which is why my brother and I have always sold Eastern in our shop, Hardcore Sportz. Plus, I was already close to a lot of the riders on the team. Everything just made sense and worked out for the best. I’m really excited to now be a part of Eastern!
What was it like riding for Sunday for the past few years?
I’ve been riding for Sunday for about four years now and it’s been a really fun time with Jim C, the team, and just being a part of the brand in general. I really appreciate everything Sunday has done for me. I definitely have a lot of good memories from being with the Sunday crew.
As someone who isn’t quite a veteran in the industry and hasn’t dealt with major sponsor changes before, was it a tough decision for you to leave one team for another?
This was definitely a tough one, especially with it being my first time leaving a sponsor. I have been with all my sponsors for a long time. Sunday since the beginning, UGP for eight years or so, and Shadow since the beginning of the brand as well. Making the switch was a whole new experience for me, but it needed to be made.
Everyone always wants to know the juicy gossip that riders try to avoid talking about in public and in the media…Do you want to give out any tidbits of info to those people or say anything to deter the inevitable comments or rumors from popping up?
In my opinion, it always seems that the rumors and negative comments on the message boards are the ones who don’t have an impact on me, nor BMX. It’s the ones that enjoy riding BMX and talk about topics in an intelligent way that are important and matter the most. So there’s really nothing to specific I need to state to clear up any rumors there may be. Let’s save all of the rumors and who’s dating whom for Teen Beat Magazine.
I know you are really good friends with Adam Banton, so how is it going to be having him as a teammate?
Adam Banton is definitely one of my close friends. He’s been a rider that I’ve always looked up to and still do now. I’m really happy to be a part of Eastern with Adam. Eastern road trips are always going to be fun because it’s going to give me even more opportunities to make fun of him, haha.
Through your shop, Hardcore Sportz, you have relationships with various sales reps for different bike companies…did you have a relationship with some of the Eastern guys already through that?
We definitely have a good relationship with Eastern Bikes and their sales representative Bryan Byrd. He has always taken good care of us. He even rocks our shop’s tees. Thanks, Bryan!
What are the plans with Eastern as of right now?
I’ll be filming for a full part in the upcoming Eastern video, doing road trips, hittin’ up events, and of course reppin’ Eastern to the fullest. I may have some signature products in the works. Only time will tell.
Anything else you want/need to add?
I want to say thanks to Ride BMX for the interview, Sunday, and all of my sponsors (The Shadow Conspiracy, UGP, Orchid Footwear, The Last People, Hardcore Sportz), and definitely Eastern Bikes for this new opportunity.
Photo courtesy of Eastern Bikes.
