For me it was a special weekend, because I was the lucky one to ride/ test Project79. This is a new Redline carbon flight frame, which is released last Friday. Redline just made two of those frames to test it, and I am the first guy who rode it during a race.We built up the carbon flight frame just before practice in Prague and I made my first laps a few hours later. The main difference is the stiffness when you’re coming out of the gate or turns. When you put power on the pedals, the bike is right there. I really like the bike and the shape of it looks awesome!
After 45 minutes practice on the track (which went okay), I decided to race with the new Redline Carbon Flight frame instead of my regular Aluminium one. During the race on Saturday I felt pretty confident and I won most of my races.
The only problem I had was my reaction time on the gate. I couldn’t adapt the way I should, so during the final I had some elbow to elbow racing going on and meanwhile the French guy closed the door for me. I was back in 4th position and finished that way. On Sunday I felt a little tired, but racing went better every lap. I won most of my races again, even the semi final. Unfortunately during the final I didn’t get the start I needed, so I was in the same position like Saturday. This time I was back in 6th position, but I rode some good lines and finished up 4th again.
Overall, it was a good weekend for training, but I expected to do better. Luckily I didn’t crash like many others, because the track was kind of sketchy for Junior and Elite riders.
The next couple of weeks I will do a lot of practice for the UCI BMX Supercross at Papendal, Arnhem. This is going to be a great event and I’m really looking forward it!
-Raymon van der Biezen
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.