An interview with Corine Stam-Dorland (10x BMX World Champ)

Dec 02, 2010

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 15141 times

Name: Corine Stam-Dorland
Hometown: Hensbroek, Netherlands
Occupation: administration/organisation for a company that organizes cycling events

For most people who have been into BMX racing for a while you don’t need an introduction. For the others, how many World and European titles did you collect in your BMX career?
Corine: europeans I don’t know, worlds 10.

You raced for several big teams, like Kuwahara, Amev, Sunn and GT. Which team did you like to work with the best?
Corine: not one special, in all I had a good time. GT was the one with the most international character.

What bike did you like to ride the most out of all BMX bikes you rode from 1980 – 1996?

Corine: I think it was the last, my GT. It’s still in my parents' garage.

Now that you don’t ride BMX anymore, can you tell us what your secret was winning 10 world titles?
Corine: For me the start was the most important. I was always in the lead in the first corner. Then I just had to keep that position.

At the time of your retirement lots of BMX riders had made it into the MTB downhill/dual slalom/4X scene because of their bike handling skills. You chose cross country. W

hy is that?
Corine: I started with cross country, just to get used to my MTB. It was the plan after that to start with downhill. I was going so well with cross country that I never changed anymore. And when I am realistic, downhill was not my thing, I would be to scared.

BMX wasn’t an Olympic sport back then, but you went to the Olympics as a XC racer. Would you have prefered to ride BMX at the Olympics?
Corine: In my best years of course I would have preferred. I was the best in the world in BMX, not in XC. An Olympic title is missing on my list.

Where did you watch the 2008 Olympic BMX final?
Corine: I have no idea, I only know who won the women race and she was my favorite so I was happy.

What is your opinion on the BMX Supercross tracks nowadays with the 8 meter high starting hill and the 11.5 meter first gap?
Corine: I am happy that I am not racing anymore.

Looking back on your BMX career, in what ways has it helped you in the life you live right now?
Corine: I saw a lot of the world, was very young, it made me independent. I know how to work hard to go for a goal.

Do you still follow BMX in some ways?
Corine: I just read some cycling magazines, I never go to races.