What do you do in the last few mins before a big
event?
It’s too easy to just say I try to focus on the event.
I worked with a psychologist who specialised in
athletes, real athletes not FMX riders, and she taught
me to stay quiet and to think it will be all good. It’s
difficult to explain, but basically the most important
thing is to think positive and not to stress myself out.
If you are interested, I always take a shit before I ride
too (laughs)
What’s the FIM World FMX Championship going to
be like this year? What is the level there like?
The level of riding this year is crazy. In every final
there are six guys that could take the win. Each rider
has different styles and different tricks, but the level
is consistent across the top guys, so I don’t think it’s
an easy job for the judges.
At the Night of the Jumps the courses are easier
than X-Fighters or X Games, so you might have less
jumps, but because the courses are smaller you need
to be cleaner on all your tricks.
How is the FMX scene in the Czech Republic? Are
there any FMX schools or new rookies there?
In the Czech Republic we don’t have any real FMX
schools, and we don’t have many rookies. I don’t
know why we don’t have many rookies, I guess when
I started the tricks were relatively easy, maybe they
are scared to start these days because they just see
the big tricks like Backflip combos, 360’s, Double
Backflips etc.. and it seems a bit unachievable.
There are nine pro FMX riders in the Country, I think
that’s similar to Germany but they are better known
riders. I think there are four or five good FMX parks in
the Czech Republic.
What do you say when someone asks you how to
become an FMX rider?
First thing that I always say is to learn to ride a
motorbike well, because the most important thing
is to feel comfortable on two wheels. When you’re
feeling good over all the jumps at a motocross track
you can try hitting a ramp. If you jump small distance
at first, and go step by step with a good teacher,
you’ll learn how to start doing tricks. It’s important to
take it easy at first because if you slowly build your
confidence on the ramps, it will be much easier to
progress. Please guys, always start with a 5 m gap,
then 10 m then 15 m and then 20 m etc..don’t just go
out and hit a 20 m gap right away because it’s just so
dangerous.
Which rider do you like to ride with most?
I love to ride with a lot of riders from all over the
world, but I think the most fun I’ve had is with Jose
Miralles. He rides for 45 mins, which is like three
sessions for me haa, he never gets tired and is
84 | FreestyleXtreme
“
when I saw my first
backflip and I said to
myself I won’t do this
crazy trick...ever!
”
always smiling.. I’ve spent a lot of good days riding
with Jose.
What do you love and hate about FMX?
I love the adrenaline you get on the ramp and I hate
myself when I make a mistake and crash. I love to
win and I hate to lose, I love to meet people but I
hate the travelling..but the most important thing is
that I love this sport!
What do you think about FMX in the future?
Where will it be?
I think more people will be doing Body Varials and
360’s. There will be more difficult features in the
courses, and I think there will be more crazy ramps
like quaterpipes and wallrides. I think this sport will
develop fast, like it has over the last three years, and
it will get more dangerous.. but it’s not possible to
change this because if it’s more dangerous it could
be more fun! T
/LiborPodmol.FMX
@liborpodmol
@liborpodmol