New year, New gear! Romain Mahieu switches to Rift/Tangent/Rockstar in 2018

Mar 22, 2018

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 5729 times

When Romain Mahieu made the switch from the Chase team to Tangent/Rift/Rockstar Energy, it meant that he had new gear coming for the 2018 season. Out with the old, in with the new. Romain's look will be different, but the speed will be there. And Romain has a good tip for everyone at the end of the article.

Name: Mahieu Romain
Country: France
Sponsors: Tangent/Rift/RockstarEnergy/Protracks

Helmet: Fly Werx / Fly F2
Goggles: N/A

Gloves: Fly pro lite
Jersey: Fly
Racing pants: Fly
Socks: Nike
Shoes: Shimano S-Phyre XC9
First layer clothes: Reebok underwear

Safety pads:

Body: N/A
Elbow: GForm pads
Knee: N/A
Shin: N/A
Neck: N/A

How many racing kits do you normally have during one season of BMX racing?
Mahieu Romain: Something like 6-8 jerseys / 4-6 pants

What career number is printed on the back?
Mahieu Romain: 100

What do you look for in protection gear? Comfort? Weight? Quality? Pricing?
Mahieu Romain: It would be about the comfort, how it feels under my jersey or my pant.

How does it feel showing up at a race with brand new gear?
Mahieu Romain: Feels fresh. I think it looks cool to have a few different kits. I like to look good when I'm wearing my team uniform and also my national team jersey. I want it to match good with my gloves, my shoes..

What happens to your old gear at the end of the season?
Mahieu Romain: I'm giving away to kids few of my jerseys, gloves..

Do you change lenses much in your goggles?
Mahieu Romain: I used to wear goggles few years ago but not anymore.

You ripped your gloves. What do you do with them?
Mahieu Romain: Hmm.. If there is a kid asking me something after the race, I would give it to him. If not, I just throw them away.

Do you save a jersey yourself from each season?
Mahieu Romain: Yes of course. Always keep one.

What’s a product you can advise every rider to use?
Mahieu Romain: The new Rift frame ES20. If you are looking for the stiffest aluminum bmx frame, it is the one.

Do you think certain protection gear should be mandatory or do you leave that up to the rider himself/herself to decide?
Mahieu Romain: It's up to the rider I think. We are doing extreme sport, we all know the risks. But as Nic was saying, head protection is key.

Any advice to the BMX racers out there?
Mahieu Romain: Just keep having fun when you ride your bike. I mean we are all training hard, following dreams and all this stuff.. But first, it's about enjoying what you are doing and doing it for yourself.

Pics by A.T. Photography / Romain Mahieu / Rift