change some small things, but overall the track is way better than last year!
Back to the SX race at Papendal – Netherlands. The organisation (BMX Holland) did a great job on the whole setup, with some big stands, nice VIP lounge, tents and promotion stuff. The track was in a pretty good condition until the rain came down on Thursday. They had to cover the whole track with plastic and luckily it hold up very well. Practice started on Friday. For me it was the first time back on the track since my ankle injury from 2 weeks earlier. I didn’t know what to expect, because my ankle was still sore and thick. Fortunately riding went okay, only doing gates was painful.
Saturday time trials we’re exciting. It was my first time doing a full lap on my home track since we did some changes to the track. This track is really exhausting and it’s tough to make a clean lap. My first time trial lap was safe and fast enough to be in the top 16, so I was in the Super Final. The top 16 riders can get points for there country and that’s really important for us, because Columbia is getting close and Holland need to stay in 5th position to be able to send 3 guys to the Olympic Games. At the end it was Fields with the fastest lap, my teammates Twan 3rd and Ivo 9th. I got 5th place, which was acceptable for me.
Sunday racing was even more excited with a big crowd showing up. Many friends, family and BMX fans we’re there to cheer us on, so it was really nice to have their support. During the riders presentation I showed up in the big stan
ds and I had to throw some personal T-shirts to the crowd, which was very cool to do! Racing started right after the presentation. I got some good results in my motos, but my gates didn’t go very well. On the track I knew some good lines to make the pass, so I made it to the semi final. Again my gate was not the best, so I was behind a few guys and I rode a nice first turn. Unfortunately I lost some speed to be quick at the second straight and was in 5th position. I want to set up an aggressive move in turn 2, but the World Champ rode me of the track and it was game over. No final for me, but I was pretty happy with my results compare to my ankle injury and it was a very nice SX event. Coming up are the World Championships in Birmingham next week. I will leave on Wednesday. Time trials are Friday and racing Saturday evening. I’m looking forward to race and I try to keep you up to date.
-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.