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I want to
seriously try
hard and win a true head
to head with
Thomas Pagès
Was the time off a needed
break?
Yep, super good, after the
vacation trip, I feel like I wanna
ride again, after two weeks no
ride I start thinking ‘ahh I want to
ride again’.
What’s your take on riding the
450 four-stroke? You’re still
riding the trusty two-strokes;
are you planning on making the
switch?
Yeah, I tried get a 450 sponsor
but I couldn’t so I just stay on
two-stroke. I get two new bikes
and then build them out. I have so
many two-stroke parts, it’s much
easier to stay same.
You were Transworld MX
magazine’s FMX rider of
the year in 2012 - and then
you won it again in 2013,
congratulations!
Ahh, yes, thank you very much,
I’m so happy, two times in a row
now. It’s pretty crazy huh? When
I got the one in 2012 I never feel
like I could get it again (laughs).
But so happy, thank you very
much all my sponsors.
Did winning the title feel any
different the second time
around?
70 | FreestyleXtreme
Just more surprised, more
surprised (laughs). 2012 I get
pretty pumped for 2013 I think
“Oh still!”
Why were you surprised? You’re
one of the baddest dudes in
FMX history.
I feel like I don’t do good, I can
always do more good.
You certainly are good enough;
do you always strive to reach
the next goal on your list?
Yes, I always want to make better.
If Taka had a radar on his
competition, who would be on
it?
Thomas Pagès, he rides in a
different way, he tries harder,
always practicing, and I like his
style. I want to beat him, like a
true beat. I want to seriously try
hard and win a true head to head
with Thomas.
What’s it going to take to
defend your gold medals in
2014?
In 2014 I definitely try hard, I want
to get one more gold medal.
What are your plans for a career
after FMX?
After FMX, I want to stay in the
industry, maybe do something
there. I love FMX so I want to
stay. I want to ride till I can’t walk
anymore, demos, shows. I want
to help build this sport more when
I retire. Something in Japan or
France or something.
15 rapid-fire questions with
Taka Higashino:
Is there any trick you can’t do,
that you wish you could?
Uhhh, yeah (laughs). Maybe Body
Varial or some 360 combo’s.
If you could have any other
rider’s style who would it be?
Adam Jones.
Can you give me one word for
what it feels like to do a Rock
Solid Backflip?
Ahh one word? Umm “slow
motion” (laughs).
What’s your favourite trick to
do?
Trick to do, uhh, K.O.D. flip. A little
bit scaring me, the flip’s so fast.
If you could be a pro in any
other sport what would it be?
I like to be a Supercross rider! u