Has Italy been affected by the financial crisis in any way that you can notice it? Stefan: I could not tell but my friends do, they had to take holidays from work even if they did not want to....
Just heard last weekend that you've go a Dirt bike as well. How often do you ride that?
Stefan: Yes I rode dirtbikes when I was younger, than with 18 I had to go to the army and that year cost too much money so I had to sell my Kawasaki 125cc and was just riding my bmx bike any more... last year I got a very good deal from an old friend who raced with so I bought his 250ccm Yamaha yzf, best bike ever! I was not on a bike for 6 years and the first day I rode it, Ifelt allready so good on it. 4 strokes are insane and BMX helps out a lot too!
Are you scrubbing all over the place like Bubba or are you stoked enough to do a couple of laps without crashing? Stefan: Scrubbs are really hard, I wish I can do them one day! Sometimes it works out a little but you have to practise a lot to do that and I do not ride my bike very often. Because of that I crash quite a lot, but next time I will chill more and stard slow, hope it works...haha
Have you done any MX races? Stefan: I did the regional championsship which had a good level. I did not have the opportuny to train, I had no car and the closest track was 1 hour and a half away from my home so I just went straight to the races with my uncle. I starded the season allround the 20th place form ca 50 riders. I learned how to ride during the races and at the end of the season at the very last race I finished 4th.
In 2008 you've been to quite a few events. What was the best result you had?
Stefan: There was no best result...haha maybe the 7th place at the German open in mini ramp...
Do you care about results or are contests more an excuse to get together and have a good time? Stefan: I go to contests to have a good time but if i do good I am even more stoked!
Are you, together with Alessandro Barbero the two BMX Freestyle "OG-s" in Italy?
Stefan: Haha, I think Barbero more than me, he is the "Ale Nazionale"!
Looks like there is some talent coming up though. Can you give us some names that could make it on the scene in 2009?
Stefan: Simone Barraco, this Kid is really good, he has all the new school barspin tricks and has an awesome bike control, gets better every time I see him ride. I moved to Milan and I will carry him with me to every contest I go to so for sure you will hear more from this guy!
Here's a list with favorites: -Beer: Corona
-Wine: Vin Brule
-Car: a Volkswagen t5 where I could carry my dirtbike
-Dirt bike: Yamaha yzf 250 2009 in white
-Magazine: dig bmx
-Game: calcetto
-Website: www.koolt.it
-BMX video: Odyssey electronical
-Riding spot: New bowl in Milan
-Contest: Simpel Session Tallin
-Road trip: hard to say, it is always a good time when u travel with friends
-Rider: Aitken
-Music: Mgmt for now, sure in 3 days it will be something else...
-Contest set up: Simpel Session park from 08
Do you think BMX Freestyle should make it into the Olympics? Stefan: Good question, for some reason yes, big companies would be interested to spend money in bmx, at the other hand I think there should not even be contests in bmx, how can you judge bmx? If somebody does a threewhip and somebody else a flipwhip, but none of both can do both tricks, how do u judge it, what is better...?
How is BMX freestyle organized in Italy?
Stefan: Hmmm, there is not much going on in Italy, here and there a little contest organised from Civera, Manlio or Robi. But the scene is growing and I hope we can do better things in the future!
Would the scene be better if there were more events in Italy?
Stefan: Sure, more events and a magazine would be good as well!
Do you have new riding spots popping up lately?
Stefan: I found a picture on flicker from a big halfpipe made by skaters, I still have to find out where exactly it is...
How's street riding in Italy?
Stefan: The best cities to ride street are Milan, Genova, Bologna and Rome. There is some good stuff.
Have you scratched some ancient buildings/statues with your bike while street riding?
Stefan: No never, I hate if people do not respect stuff like that. Only tire marks and they go away with the time..
Any trails around where you live?
Stefan: Yes my friend Vela in Verona is a good digger, him, Tode, Fabietto and Fede build the Swamp trails which are good fun!
Where do you usually ride?
Stefan: In Bozen, 20 min from my house but now I moved to Milan which has two bowls and street stuff, looking forward to this year!
With whom?
Stefan: At home I used to ride with my skater friends Mirko, Plant, Mohr and so on...
Any shout-outs?
Stefan: Thanks to David from fly, Mike from carhartt, Andy from Eastpak and Nike for their support and of course to my family which is always behind me! ciao ciao.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.