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On Thursday everybody could hit the Supercross track in Chula Vista for the first time. Nothing changed compare to last year, so everyone knew what to expect. I felt kind of slow during practice, but I was able to ride smooth.

We all had 1 more hour practice on Friday before Time-Trials. I needed more speed over the jumps to do well in TT. So I knew what to do, but I still wasn’t satisfied after practice. I felt I could do better than this, but somehow I did not happen. Fortunately I was able to ride a fast lap during TT. I made some small mistakes but took the 3rd fastest time. Top 16 had to do a second lap as always, so I had one more opportunity to do better. I rode a solid lap, but it wasn’t enough to be the fastest guy. Connor Fields (USA) and Tory Nyhaug (Canada) were the only ones faster than me. It felt great to be in a podium position again.

Raceday was on Saturday. I felt good and had a lot of confidence to do well. My heat race was strong, because I had to battle with Joris Daudet (2011 World Champ) and Kurt Pickard from Australia. I managed to get 2, 3, 3, so on to the quarterfinal where I got 3rd. In the semi I had a great start from the middle, but couldn’t get to the inside in turn one. Over jumped the step up out of the first turn and went back from 2nd place to 7th when we hit the third straight. Going in to the last turn there was a crash, but luckily I could pass the guys on the ground and got 4th.

After a tough season this was my first SX final since my crash at Papendal. This means a lot to me, because it’s a half nomination for the Olympics 2012, so I was already excited. But coming into this main event, I wanted more. My gate wasn’t great, but my acceleration at the first straight was good. Jumped the triple into turn one in 4th position. My Teammate Jelle v Gorkom had the inside line, so when I did my high-low move he slipped away and took down 4 other riders. I could just pass Jelle, but lost a lot of speed and Connor Fields was already gone. At that time I didn’t know how many guys crashed, so I rode as fast I can till the finish line and got 2nd place with David Herman in 3rd.

This is my first podium at a UCI BMX Supercross race, so I was really pumped. When the coach told me I finished up 3rd in the overall ranking, I first didn’t believe, but it was true and I felt even happier! Getting 3rd place in TT, 2nd place in the final and 3rd overall is a nice way to end the 2011 season. I even got the award for best crash of the year… But that’s not something to be proud of!

We just have 4 more European rounds to race. Coming up this weekend is round 3&4 in Klatovy, Czech Republic.

Like to thanks everyone who believed in me, my team and my sponsors for all their support: NOC*NSF, KNWU, Redline, Rabobank. New York Pizza, TroyLeeDesigns, Shimano, PRO, Bensink, Sun Ringlé, Tioga, De Champignonsspecialist, Leatt, Oakley, BES&T, HVMparts, Jack Martens Tweewielers, Health Center Nistelrode, Bouwbedrijf Berghege, Oké wax, Vans.