In 2018, Twan van Gendt decided to go his own way. He left the national team at Papendal and has since been training with a new coach Martijn Jaspers. As a result, Twan can no longer train so much at Papendal, which makes this new project even better for him.
The track in Ammerzoden has the official starting hill of 8 meters high and exactly the first 125 meter long straight to the first corner, as the track in Tokyo will soon be. In BMX race, 8 riders start side by side. At a speed of 65 km / h they then simultaneously ride towards the first jumps. And at the runway in Tokyo, Twan thinks there are two ways to approach it.
“There are two ways to ride the first jump. I want to see whether I can find a different technique in the coming months, with which I do not jump, but actually keep in constant contact with the track and thus
make extra speed instead of slowing down ”, says Van Gendt
A nice detail is that it all started for Twan in Ammerzoden. “Here I rode a BMX bike for the first time when I was four. So I think it's great that I can now work on my dream precisely in this place. ”
The municipality can only applaud and support the fact that Maasdriel is producing a world champion with Olympic ambitions. Alderman Erik van Hoften of the municipality of Maasdriel proudly explains: “Twan van Gendt made his first meters on the BMX about a quarter of a century ago on this track in Ammerzoden. It is great that he is now training in Ammerzoden again for his Olympic dream. We are pleased that we can help Twan by helping to facilitate the replica of the Olympic starting slop
e. The 8 meter high slope was built in just a week. The starting hill is cordoned off and only accessible with the guidance of Twan van Gendt. Safety is of the utmost importance to us, although Twan van Gendt is allowed to make the track "unsafe" as often as necessary. We wish him the best of luck on his way to Tokyo. ”
Twan van Gendt also hopes that the track will inspire local youth. “It would be great if this job provided an extra boost for upcoming talents and inspires them. In the first instance it is my training job of course. But I also want to see how we can share this with other BMX riders. Because it is a shame to keep such a great job just for myself ”, says Van Gendt.
By Red Bull
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.