New year, New gear! Argentina's Federico Villegas

Mar 30, 2018

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 5346 times

You may want to look fresh for every day at a race and bring your safety gear with you but it all adds to the luggage you've got to drag with you to the next World Cup or international race. Paying for overweight ain't no joke either. But some things you just need to bring to perform at your best. See what Argentina's Fede Villegas brings with him during a race weekend.

Name: Federico Villegas
Country: Argentina
Sponsors: Crupi BMX, Tioga, Ride 100%, BikeArt, Crupi's co sponsor Tangent and Fly Racing.

Helmet: Fly Racing Carbon Mips BMX
Goggles: Ride 100%
Gloves: Fly - Ride 100%
Jersey: Bike Art
Racing pants: Fly Racing (USA) - Bike Art (Arg)
Socks: Whatever is in my drawer
Shoes: In the look right now
First layer clothes: Nike

Safety pads:

Body: Nike tight thermic shirt
Elbow: Troy Lee
Knee: G-Form
Shin: G-Form
Neck: Leatt Brace

How many racing kits do you normally have during one season of BMX racing?
Federico Villegas: Around 7

What career number is printed on the back?
Federico Villegas: 194

What do you look for in protection gear? Comfort? Weight? Quality? Pricing?
Federico Villegas: Comfort and Protection.

How does it feel showing up at a race with brand new gear?
Federico Villegas: Freshh

What happens to your old gear at the end of the season?
Federico Villegas: Part I give away and part I save it for the old Freddy.

Do you change lenses much in your goggles?
Federico Villegas: Fortunately Ride 100% has my eyes covered so I take two goggles to the race. One clear transparent and one dark or blue.

You ripped your gloves. What do you do with them?
Federico Villegas: Sometimes I keep using but if they're tOo bad I use them when I clean my bike.

Do you save a jersey yourself from each season?
Federico Villegas: Yes

What’s a product you can advise every rider to use?
Federico Villegas: I think a helmet with the Mips technology is important. I don't have a neck brace sponsor but for me it is a must use whatever the brand is. Ride 100% Goggles. Fly and Bike Art clothes. Shin knee and elbow pads, whatever brand as long as it works well and you feel comfortable.

Do you think certain protection gear should be mandatory or do you leave that up to the rider himself/herself to decide?
Federico Villegas: Of course a helmet but for extra I think a neck brace is really important judging from several experiences from extreme sports.

Any advice to the BMX racers out there?
Federico Villegas: Always tighten your helmet and if you can use comfortable safety gear you're going to save a lot of time in recovery after any crash and can also save you from injuries. And have fun!

Pics by BdJ/ Craig Dutton/Life as Art photography