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Did you try to find videos of it to see what it was like before you went to Holland?
Vilma: Well I did try but I couldn't find any decent videos of the whole track so...I went there expecting something extraordinary.


When you arrived at the track, what was your first opinion?
Vilma: my first opinion was OMG! The track looked really big, challenging and dangerous. It took some time to actually decide what could be the easiest straight I could start with! Apart from the very technical hills, an other thing that scared me - strong side winds.

Do you think you got enough practice time to get used to the track?
Vilma: Well...I did get some training on the track 2 weeks before the race, when I joined the German National team for this little training camp on Papendal's track. When we had our official practice on Thursday I was super happy I was familiar with the track, because if it was my first time on it, and in such extreme wind, I would have been totally freaked out! I mean...it's not only that you have to try and figure out all these new and crazy jumps within an hour, but also battle with this very strong and dangerous wind. Anyway, because I knew the track, 1.5h was enough for me...

Did you manage to jump everything you wanted to jump during the first session?
Vilma: I did try to jump everything, except that big 2nd double on the first straight. Although some of the hills I tried only once, because I thought the wind was too dangerous. There was a great risk of crashing, even if the jump wasn't too difficult. Just the idea of getting in the air and losing that safe attachment to the ground was scary!

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?
Vilma: Well I personally prefer racing than doing TT. So for me it's even easier when there are 7 other ppl on the gate. It's harder only when the first straight is very very big and than you know, that if u get a bad gate, you won't be able to jump it and you'll loose a lot. I can't say that this was the problem in Papendal...I think the bigger problem for me was that the 2nd and 3rd straight for the girls seamed pretty narrow .... so it was kinda hard to pass ppl on the track even if u were catching up with them! just taking the very side of the straight felt like a big risk of crashing, bearing in mind how big your speed was and that u couldn't see the landing when getting to a jump. So it was like... coming with a lot of speed and taking the lip to nowhere... hoping you'll be fine.

The wind definitely didn’t help with the difficulty of the track. Would it have been a different race without the wind?
Vilma: Yes! Definitely! if no wind, it's definitely one of the best and most fun tracks in the world! At least for the girls.

The men had to take the box jump. What needs to be fixed with that part for the 2012 Olympic track?
Vilma: Hmm...I am not an Elite Man and I haven't tried the Box jump, so I'll save my opinion for myself ;);)

How often did you crash?
Vilma: Non, but it's because I was hitting my brakes a lot and in this particular race, having such a dangerous wind and seeing so many bad crashes, I figured it wasn't worth the risk. I'll better save myself for the next races to come and take it back there :):)

Did you wear extra safety gear at this Supercross World Cup?
Vilma: No, I guess that's an other reason why I didn't want to risk too much.

Do you think this Papendal track would be a lot easier to ride in two years from now?
Vilma: Yes, looks like it's not that hard to ride even after a few days of practice! but in 2 years I guess it'll be just an ordinary and kinda easy track.

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. No such thing as the splitting first straight
2. 3rd straight for the girls would have a normal double instead of that "step down" double
3. a larger (bigger) turn after the first straight for the girls

Any thanks to the sponsors or any people in particular?
Vilma: Thanks a lot to Kenny from ASV ONE, my coach PH, my french team Pays de la Loire, Rooster doing this great job with Love Not Money, my dad, family, friends and all the ones who're supporting me, trained with me, helped me one way or an other, etc..THANK YOU ALL and thank You, Bart, for this interview and caring for opinion of the bmxers from different levels...