FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

When you arrived at the track, what was your first opinion?
Arielle: I liked everything about it except for how the first straight split for the guys and girls. Instantly I disliked that hideous jump into the first corner and it was clear that outside lanes were going to be an advantage for us girls but mostly I was just really excited to ride and equally as excited to watch the boys ride.

Do you think you got enough practice time to get used to the track?
Arielle: More than enough. I shut it down early both days. We have a lot less girls out there though and our track was easier. The boys probably needed more time than we did.

Did you manage to jump everything you wanted to jump during the first session?
Arielle: Yep. I had a few kinks to work out the second day just to make sure I was smooth over everything but for the most part the girls side wasn't that crazy. The 3rd straight was the most challenging but not unlike anything we had ever ridden...similar to France and South Africa. It was my favorite straight on the track actually. I was especially loving the big booster double on the first straight and the second straight flowed pretty well for us..

How much harder is it for you to go from one at a time, to a full race of 8 people on the gate and then ride the track?
Arielle: A lot harder, the game always changes when you have other variables on the track with you. Ideally if you're in front it should ride the same, you just have to get there.

The wind definitely didn’t help with the difficulty of the track. Would it have been a different race without the wind?
Arielle: Absolutely. Wind was the limiting factor out there. I think the majority of the crashes could have been avoided without it. Everyone was headcasing on it too which didn't help with the morale. I took a hard hit the morning of the race during warm up thanks to a gnarly gust that sent me a bit sideways, it definitely wasn't awesome.

The men had to take the box jump. What needs to be fixed with that part for the 2012 Olympic track?
Arielle: Every guy I talked to said the box jump was easy. I think the problem was in the S-turn leading up to it during a race. Individually that jump wasn't giving them problems, but those turns were total speed killers and if you weren't in front it was a huge ball up to get through.

How often did you crash?
Arielle: Twice. Once from the wind, and once from tangling with a Diaz in a moto. The second crash could have happened anywhere, it was just crap luck.

Did you wear extra safety gear at this Supercross World Cup?
Arielle: Nah, same stuff as I wear at an ABA race.

Do you think this Papendal track would be a lot easier to ride in two years from now?
Arielle: Absolutely. It's progression. Two years ago we were riding smaller jumps and easier tracks, it's just a part of development of the sport.

Ok, imagine you’re the track designer for the London Olympic track and you can make 3 changes to the track. What would they be?
1. Either same first straight for men/women or completely separate. I wasn't a fan of the narrow split.
2. Lengthen and bowl out those S-turns for the boys.
3. Double into the first corner for the girls instead of that ugly step table and a taller first turn for us.

Any thanks to the sponsors or any people in particular?
Arielle: FATBMX!, USA Cycling, Intense, THE, SINZ, Agility Guard, Leatt, FLY, Profile, Rennen, SIDI, Cytomax, Oakley, and my fans!