After that I didn't feel anything for a moment, and then everything! AAAAHHHHHH The hell broke loose and I believe Senad, Tobi and Monkey were the first ones near me. They then organised everything and after a short while I just tried to handle the pain. After 20 minutes I broke down because I couldn't handle the pain any longer. The people of the red cross were unable to deal with the situation and not only because they couldn't give me any shots, they almost let me fall off the carrier. I do believe that it was a stressy situation for the young medics and hard to get a grip on a moment like that. I should have asked that one life saver for her number....oh well, too late.
Can you describe how it feels when you're being carried off the contest area in an ambulance leaving your people behind and heading towards a hospital in a foreign country?
Bommel: There are no words to describe that. You're too busy dealing with yourself to think of anything else. I kept repeating myself, tomorrow is a new day, the pain will be gone soon. It's just fucked up, it's hard to describe. It all takes forever and then the time passes by.
With your injury it was not possible to fly you over to a German hospital to operate your leg. Were you scared about doing the operation in Spain?
Bommel: I didn't care one bit. All I wanted was a narcosis to get rid of the pain.
2 days later and you're skyping from the air conditioned room and watching football together with Bas Keep. It could have been way worse, isn't it?
Bommel: Yes of course it can always be worse!! Because only 10 people in the entire hospital speak any English, and my English isn't perfect either, it was good to exchange a few words with Bas.
What is the status on Bas Keep's injury?
Bommel: Today Bas rolled around in a wheelchair for the first time. He says he's doing better every day. Good for him! He's flying home on Saturday and will go to the hospital there to be checked out. I wish him all the best.
Have people visited you in the Barcelona hospital?
Bommel: Yes! A lot of people came over to visit me. Some of them I didn't even know. They all said it wasn't a problem coming over but I would like to thank everyone who took the effort to care about me. For me it is really important to be able to steer away from the pain in a situation like this.
You're scheduled to be off your bike for the next 6 months. Have you thought about what you're going to do?
Bommel: I always have something to do! haha. As soon as I can walk again I will start to film a lot so I can try to finish a fat Berlin video at the end of the year. Actually it isn't bad to have more time for other stuff now. For me BMX has always been more than just riding your bike. I don't know, I'll kill the time somehow. It just sucks that I have to cancel a lot of good trips and gigs. It is like it is.
You had some big sponsors lined up for this summer with Diesel55, Nike 6.0, and Relentless. How bad does it feel you can't represent on the bike now?
Bommel: Of course that sucks, especially now that they gave me chances that I didn't have before. That really motivated me. I could say sorry but now I have to use my creativity to find other ways to represent my sponsors. Like I said, BMX doesn't happen on the bike only.
You are usually one busy guy with your riding, running your own park, doing videos, organising events, is there anything left you can do with one leg only?
Bommel: I work on my Mac a lot (Apple rules) and only need my hands and brain to do that. Some new ideas popped up already that you can do while sitting or laying down. Laying down is good haha. No, seriously, my biggest project this year would be the build of a Sakepark in Tobolsk, Sibrenia to push the scene over there. Now I will be able to handle the project from Berlin to make sure the building team gets everything they need. I've got so many ideas that I need to make happen that I'm sure I won't be bored.
When are you going home?
Bommel: 08.07.2010 14:30 Uhr... 7 hours to the next hospital in Berlin... Yessss and Fuck off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holland - Spain in the finals. How's that going to be?
Bommel: Pretty shitty for you guys Bart!!! hahahha The best team should win.
Last words/thanks?
Bommel: I believe everyone who is involved in a sport like this plays with risks. That's also what makes the difference. Sometimes you lose the game against the borderlines but in the end it makes you stronger and you win anyway. It would take too long to thank everyone in person because I'm sure I will forget someone. But thanks to everyone who helped me out and made this time as pleasant as possible. You are the best!
One thing I wanted to say, Achim didn't put any pressure on me to ride, that's bullshit talk.