2022 GOALS: Mitchel Schotman (NED)

Feb 14, 2022

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 1812 times

Mitchel Schotman is in the South of France currently preparing for the 2022 season. Mitchel has made the switch from the Oegema-Fieten team to the Dutch National BMX squad. He's the 2021 Elite Men champ, 2nd in Europe, 6th in the World. Add new motivation and you will see a fast racer line up in 2022. Read about his goals in the interview below.

Name: Mitchel Schotman
Age: 25
Hometown: Wesepe, Netherlands
Team: National BMX team Netherlands

Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Mitchel Schotman: Yes and no, because the UCI BMX World Cup in Verona was one of my worst WC ever. Didn’t get any good result there and never felt so shit after a race. But after Verona I had my best season ever so far! Dutch champ, 2nd of Europe and one of the best days of the year were the UCI BMX Racing World Championships at Papendal, 6th of the world. Riding my first World's as an elite and then of course my first final was great, but riding a final in front of the home crowd makes it so much better.

With the start of the new year, are you always looking to become a faster racer?
Mitchel Schotman: I always try to become faster every year and we chanced a bit in training.

So we’ll see how it turns out this year

Have you picked your races for 2022 yet?
Mitchel Schotman: Yes, I already picked them, racing as much as possible!

What did you change on your bike for 2022?
Mitchel Schotman: New forks and cranks, the rest is all the same.

Do you generally test things in the off season like different tires, different sized frames, wider bars, longer stems, different gears?
Mitchel Schotman: Yes, I tried some different gears this winter. I like to try it and find out what is the best.

What racing gear will you be running in 2022?
Mitchel Schotman: Probably 45-16 the most.

What's the helmet of your choice for the new season?
Mitchel Schotman: I’m going to ride with a Scott helmet

Do you intend to eat better in 2022?
Mitchel Schotman: In my opinion food is one of the most important things, so yes I always try to find out what is the best or even better to eat.

Has your training schedule changed from last year?
Mitchel Schotman: I came into a new team but with the same coach. So, not many changes in my training program since last year.

Who is helping you with your training schedule?
Mitchel Schotman: Martijn Jaspers

Do you get help with mental coaching?
Mitchel Schotman: Yes I got, at Papendal [Olympic Training Centre] we got many people who can help me to become a better athlete.

What's your local BMX track that you ride the most?
Mitchel Schotman: Nowadays I ride Papendal the most.

Do you ride pump tracks and trails to improve your bike handling skills?
Mitchel Schotman: Yes I like to ride on pumptracks and I’m sure that it can help you with your riding skills

What are your strengths?
Mitchel Schotman: Down the hill till the finish line

What are your weaknesses?
Mitchel Schotman: The start hill

What are your goals for 2022?
Mitchel Schotman: Having a lot of fun at every race. And when everything feels great the result will come!

See how the others prepared for 2022:

1) Camille Maire (FRA)
2) Stefan Heil (GER)
3) Vincent Pelluard (COL)
4) Eddy Clerté (FRA)
5) Aiko Gommers (BEL)
6) Payton Ridenour (USA)
7) Sylvain André (FRA)
8) Elke Vanhoof (BEL)
9) Izaac Kennedy (AUS)
10) Asuma Nakai (JPN)
11) Ross Cullen (GBR)
12) Bethany Shriever (GBR)
13) Joshua McLean (AUS)
14) Cameron Wood (USA)
15) Arthur Pilard (FRA)
16) Anthony Bucardo (USA)
17) Mitchel Schotman (NED)

Pics by visualsByTwentyTwo. Bike photo by Mitchel Schotman