spots and events. His parents are a main supporter of what he does and are there for him whenever he needs to be picked up after a late session. His mother accompanied him to the Simple Session which he entered for the first time this year. In Tallinn his training time was short as he opted to watch the pros ride instead of snaking riders. Tom is on the shy side and missed some time on the course to make it to the finals, but that might just change in 2016 because Tom learns from event to event.
We're proud of Tom coming out of Aarle-Rixtel, a town of 6000, home of the FATJAM and Paul's Boutique. You see riders get into it but it takes that extra talent and mindset for riders to make it to the top. Tom's had style for years and I remember him jumping the Sugar Hills, crossing up the bars for style points through the lines. 
Tom actually lives on the countryside and his parents are into horses. It's their business, but Tom chose the steel ross instead. Being from Ale Blie, it was Paul who took him under his wing through the Paul's Boutique team and build him a FIT bike to ride. He's currently running a Mike Aitken model which is a perfect fit. In the meantime Tom is getting support from Vans Benelux and FOXHEAD so he doesn't have to go to Helmond-City to shop for clothes and shoes much. Being part of the 040BMXPARK team also gets him the advantage of just showing up and getting to ride the park.
Tom's riding is incredible. It's a treat to watch, whatever he decides to ride. Dirt, park, concrete, he does it all and he does it with style. Taking pics with him is easy. He holds his variations so long that you simply can't miss. If you want to take a shot from a different angle, no problem, he'll do it again, and again and again. 
Thing is, Tom loves to ride, he enjoys getting rad, he enjoys looking at the pics to see if he can make it look better. Tom goes either way and started off being goofy footed but now that he airs and spins in either direction it doesn't matter any more. He shreds all over the place because he can. Nothing is oppo for him. The trick that 'put him on the map' was the 360 triple downside whip. Yes it has been done before, but not by anyone from Aarle-Rixtel. Tom's not a park rat learning all the tricks that have been done before, he's more about the lines, the height, the smooth style and making things look good. He makes you want to be like him.
Tom just finished school at the Dr. Knippenberg College in Helmond, the school my wife teaches at. He's got that Havo diploma now and picked up the official paper wearing shorts, Vans, and a Fox shirt while Wedemeijer was waiting outside because they needed to do a show in Tours the next day (a 7 hour drive). Tom has signed up for a sports marketing school in Helmond which will start in September. Until that time Tom isn't worried about homework, or school. He'll be busy riding his bike, visiting places and riding contests whenever he can. Doing a few shows left and right
for FISE and 040BMXPARK along with winning prize money gets him around at the moment. With the support of his parents, his sponsors and his friends we foresee a bright future for Mr. Van den Bogaard.
Hopefully you'll get to see him ride at one point. Most likely you'll be asking: "Who is that guy!?" Well, it's Tom from Aarle-Rixtel.
By BdJ
Re-Up: Going big with style: Tom van den Bogaard. Ale Blie! By BdJ
We're skipping the usual Q&A list here will tell you something about the third rider from Aarle-Rixtel to get a cover of a main BMX magazine. The youngster has been turning heads wherever he went to and for good reason. His riding is a mix of Mike Aitken, Chris Doyle and we're spotting a bit of Daniel Wedemeijer lines in his riding. Wedemeijer has actually been a push for Tom to ride more. Ever since Daniel moved from Amsterdam close to 040BMXPARK it gave the 18 year old rider from Aarle-Rixtel someone to ride with at a high level. 040BMXPARK is where you find Tom often. It takes him an hour to get there as he rides his bike to the train station in Helmond, takes the train to Eindhoven and then walks over to the park for a session. He's got his bike stored there most of the time which makes it easier to do the traveling back and forth.
Tom is only 18 and doesn't have his drivers license yet so he relies on others to take him or uses Holland's public transport to go to
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.