How much training do you do to get ready for a season? Dominique: I train nearly every day. Waking up at 5, I run a few miles in the morning for cardio and then I work out for a few hours in the afternoon, alternating endurance days, plyo and dynamic work out days. As well as agility and fast twitch drills. I also do other cross training sports such as Kick Boxing and Track and Field.
On the day of a race, is there something in particular that you always do?
Dominique: On the morning of the race I always warm up and stretch out. I have a slew of drills that I do to warm up properly but depending on the track I only do a certain few that I really need to practice such as gate drills or working on my reaction time on the gate.
When you show up at a race, do you want to go straight to the track and ride it or do you check out other people ride it first?
Dominique: More than half the time I go and watch how the older boys are riding the track so I can gauge their speed, acceleration, etc. , as well as the tracks groove lines are and which ones are the smoothest. Also I watch for any funky parts on that track that I might need to look out for during a race or practice.
You made it over to Spain for the first round of the 2010 SX series. What was the track like there?
Dominique: The track in Madrid was very nice and compact but it was also very wet, which unfortunately made riding the track more difficult than it normally would’ve been. But regardless the track was nice and fast.
Are you sticking to riding traditional BMX tracks for now?
Dominique: Well for this upcoming year I will be doing a combination of both. I will be working a lot on my SuperCross training and working on boosting my jumping skills and confidence. So I will still be on traditional BMX tracks but I will also be working on trying to ascend into the race of the Supercross champions.
At some races the gate in the girls class is not even filled up, what do you think needs to be done to get more girls to the races? Dominique: I think in order for the girls, Women’s Pro, Junior Women, Elite Women’s, whatever you call us, I think the biggest thing is payout. It’s no secret that in comparison to the men, our resulting pay checks are anything short of sad. From and outsiders point of view it's belittling to us women racers, when we work and race just as hard as the men. The checks should be worth the work to get to the race and compete. Not the other way around.
Are the Olympics a goal for you in BMX?
Dominique: The Olympics have always been a goal of mine, even when I was little. Of course back then I didn’t know what it meant to be in the Olympics exactly. But regardless, as I got older I realized that only the best of the best made it to the Olympics and then on top of that on the toughest of the tough were granted the honor of wearing the Gold Medal. When I was in Junior High I believed that I would be able to get to the Olympics in Track and Field but as BMX started to become a bigger role in my life, the dream of the Olympics, never waning, also became a prevalent goal for me. One that in the next couple of months I hope to make come true.
Who do you think are your main competitors for the 2011 season? Dominique: I think my competition will be mainly the same as it has always been, my main rival is always going to be Alise Post but in the NBL the game plan changes and Amanda Carr and Amanda Geving come in and give me a run for my money. On an International level Shanaze Reade of Great Britain, Manon Valentino of France, Mariana Pajon of Columbia and Caroline Buchanan of Australia always push me when we're in the gate together. But coming back to the states it will always be an interesting gamble depending on the track and the location as to who will win. But best believe I will always be giving my best at every race, every lap, anywhere.
Any shout outs to your sponsors are anybody?
Dominique: I just want to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey to becoming the person I am now. Obviously I want to thank my parents and family. Also all of my extensive extended family that encircles not only America but, the world over. All of my old sponsors from starting off on my local AZ Trophy Team of Jalepeno to my College Sponsor of GCU for giving me the chance to better myself through a college education and supporting me financially so that I may realize my dream to get to the Olympics. I would like to the thank Cathy Player for giving me the wonderful opportunity to represent GCU across the world and all of my trainers who have helped me in the past, all of my friends, family and BMX extended family, as well as my competition for pushing me and making me such a great rider.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.