#72 quits BMX. The Rob van den Wildenberg interview.

May 12, 2011

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 8348 times

It came as a suprise for most, the news that Rob van den Wildenberg had stopped racing BMX. Holland's only finalist at the 2008 Olympics and member of the National team, called it quits after spending 25 years racing that BMX bike. We caught up with him to find out why.

You recently decided to stop riding BMX. This must have been a tough decision. What was the moment you knew for sure that you did not want to continue to be a BMX pro?
Rob van den Wildenberg: It was a very tough decision, bmx has been my life for the last 25 years, so it wasn't easy to make a decision like this. Especially the last 5 years as a pro, made my living my dream; being able to do what I love every single day, working together with an amazing group of people (athlete's/coach/trainers/sponsors), traveling all over the world and being able to compete in the Olympics, who thought 10 years ago all of this would be possible in the world of BMX, I certainly didn't! But when the time comes you rather do

something else than a training on your BMX bike, you have to make a decision, because in my opinion joy is the most important factor in all things you do, especially when you put everything on the line for something. So I come to the conclusion that BMX doesn't satisfy me enough anymore to put so much effort and energy in it, that the only right thing to do for myself and for all the people who put time and energy in me, is to stop. But I can say I enjoyed every single moment of it and certainly wouldn't do a thing different if I could, I know I made the best of my carrier and I'm proud of what I have accomplished.

How did people around you react to the decision?
Rob van den Wildenberg: Some were surprised and some could understand, but most could understand that it's impossible to put so much time, energy and effort in something you simply don't like so much anymore.

Can you explain how hard it is to come back to the top after having to deal with an injury?
Rob van den Wildenberg: In our sport it's already hard to be part of the top when you are 100% healthy. There are so many great riders who are able to make a World Cup final these days, that you have to bring your A-game already in qualifying, most of the time the top 64 qualify within 2 seconds! It's extremely hard after an injury to get back to the highest level again, you are forced to miss some bike time, probably your fitness

level dropped a bit and the lack of race rhythm make it extremely hard to come back to the top. It just takes time and you have to except that, but that's hard, probably the first races after an injury wont give the results you hoped for. You must stay positive at any time, mentally it's very tough!

Have people tried to get you back on the bike?
Rob van den Wildenberg: Not yet, most of the people I talked with could really understand my arguments to stop. They all just hope I made the right decision, so far I'm still 100% sure I made the right decision. I feel great again after my decision, what tells me I made a good one.

Does this mean that we won’t see you racing any race from now on, or have you taken a step back from the top level?
Rob van den Wildenberg: For now I feel I will never compete again in any race again. I will always know to what I'm capable of and by making a step back from the top level I wouldn't be satisfied with anything less, I'm just too much of a perfectionist. But we will see what the future brings.

Time for riding some trails?
Rob van den Wildenberg: Till now I didn't touched my bike since I decided to stop. I guess it will stay like this for a while, but I'm sure in the future I will be back on it for some fun sessions at our local trails/tracks. Hopefully I can still ride my bike the way I'm able to do some jumps, but I guess you will never loose it! I really hope, otherwise I'm not sure if I still can have fun riding my bike without being able to jump some trails/jumps. That was the reason why I started BMX in the first place!

You were the only Dutch finalist at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing and BMX has taken you around the world. Can you name three places/countries that you will try to visit again but without a BMX bike?
Rob van den Wildenberg: Australia, South Africa and Canada. The nature in these countries made such a big impression on me, I definitely want to go back some day! But there is still one country I never visited while doing BMX and would love to visit, that's New Zeeland, from what I've heard and seen I have to go there one day! So hopefully I am able to go visit New Zeeland in the future.

Not having to train every single day must have been a big change. What have you been doing lately?
Rob van den Wildenberg: To be honest, I can't sit still, I have such a need to do something active! Whether it's running, cycling or a gym session it all can satisfy me. Lately I rode some MX bikes with my friends at our local tracks, which is great fun too! I think I will always keep doing some training, it makes me feel good and it keeps me fit.

Are you going to look for a job within the bicycle industry or what do you think you’ll be doing in a few months from now?
Rob van den Wildenberg: A job within the bicycle industry would be great, I love the world, I have been part of it most of my life, so if it would be possible that would be again a dream come true.

Will you be going to the UCI SX World Cup race in Papendal?
Rob van den Wildenberg: Sure I will be there, that track is something special and I wanna see the Dutch riders shine there!

A great thing, I will be part of the broadcast on national television (NOS), I really look forward to that! We all hope for a great show on May 27/28, that would be great for our sport!

Thanks to: I almost don't know where to start, so many people I have to thank and hopefully I won't forget anyone! First of all my parents and my sister, without them I wouldn't be who I am now. Bas de Bever, couldn't ask for a better coach, simply there isn't a better one! All my team buddies over the last years, you all made every day a great one and made it possible to bring me to the highest level! All the strength trainers, Jim and Christiaan. All our guidance in the team, Edgar Biss

eling, Richard Cremers, Rob Eijkelenboom, Jelle van den Elzen, Danny Hartwig, Ton Kolvoort, Willy Meijer, Willem Walraven. All the people from the KNWU (federation) and NOC-NSF (Olympic Committee) for running such a great program like we have! Team sponsors; Gork at Redline for the best bikes in the scene. Rabobank, Shimano, Troy Lee Designs, Albert Bensink from Bensink BMX Gates, Tioga, Sun Ringle. My personal sponsors; Steve and Dani from Oakley. Lenny from LEATT. Pieter, Rob and Tim from BES&T. The Does family (Gerrit and Nico) for the great guidance in my younger years! Paul from Vans and Paul's Boutique

and of course all the FANS who supported me through all those years, it was a blast to ride for all of you! THANKS ALL!!!! Hopefully you all will remember #72.