FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

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.

The Leatt Neck Brace is a product that can help prevent serious injury. The problem is, you will never know when you need it. Once you get used to it, it becomes part of the standard equipment that you wear whenever you get on the bike. It's better to snap the brace, than it is to break your neck. David Graf doesn't only wear the brace because he's sponsored by them, he wants to protect his neck in the first place, but also set an example for other BMX riders on the track. One can never be safe enough.

Name: David Graf
Country: Switzerland
Sponsors: Prophecy, HT, Leatt

Helmet: 100% Helmets right now
Goggles: --
Gloves: Leatt
Jersey: Swiss National Jersey
Racing pants: black ?
Socks: Suplest
Shoes: Suplest Edge3 Pro

Those who were at the 2017 UCI World Cup in Zolder will remember the race where things went nuts on the first jump. With people losing control it sent 6 of them to the ground, one of them was Kai Sakakibara. At that moment you know why you're wearing your protection gear. And you never know when a crash will happen to you. Most often it's somebody else causing the crash. What has Kai learnt from it and what protection gear does the Australian use?

Name: Kai Sakakibara
Country: Australia
Sponsors: DK Bikes, Oakley, Box, Shimano, Onyx, Shoei, Michram Industries, Planett, HT, Fist, Parkside Sports Physio, Peabody, AO Contracting.

Helmet: Shoei VFX - Evo
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake
Gloves: Fist Handwear
Jersey: Planett
Racing pants: Planett

We found someone with a sewing machine! Yes! easy repairs can be made by Trent Jones. Not at the races though. But hey, what's not there now could become the next business.

Name: Trent Jones
Country: New Zealand
Sponsors: BOX Components / Thrill bicycles

Helmet: FLY F2
Gloves: FLY Pro lite
Jersey: BOX
Racing pants: FLY kinetic
Shoes: Shimano
First layer clothes: NZ merino wool thermal for Europe.

It's windy and it's raining, but the show must go on. You're on that 8 meter high starting hill with 7 nervous girls next to you. You know you need to jump that first jump to make a chance to transfer to the next round. Things can get sketchy sometimes that's why it's good to pad up. Natalia Suvorova explains her racing gear situation.

Name: Natalia Suvorova
Country: Russia
Sponsors/support: Chase Bicycles, Tioga, Lead racing

Helmet: Troy Lee Design
Goggles: Oakley
Gloves: 100%
Jersey: National team jersey
Racing pants: Lead racing
Socks: Don't matter - just white
First layer clothes: Victoria Secret and Nike haha

Safety pads:

Name: Priscilla Andréia Stevaux Carnaval
Country: Brazil
Sponsors: Shimano, Chase Bicycles, Powercyclesbmx, Suplelife, Onyx Racing, MAC Components, Niknak, IfitFoods.

Helmet: Troy Lee Designs D2
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake.
Gloves: TroyLee Designs Air.
Jersey: Brazilian Team Jersey / Fast Signatures Jersey

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

In 2018 Sae Hatakeyama will ride the Elite class for the first time in her BMX racing career. She has chosen #85 as her career number so that number will be printed on the back of her jerseys when she hits the supercross tracks. Being on the UCI program under the wings of Liam Phillips don't be surprised to see her make some finals in 2018. The SX track in Aigle is her home spot now. Daily sessions there will surely help her progress.

Name: Sae Hatakeyama
Country: Japan
Sponsors: RedBull, HARO, Motocross international, SHIMANO, Tioga, Oakley, BELL Helmets, Faith Race

Canadians, just like Australians, are some tough mofo's. Actually most BMX SX racers are tough, but what do they have hidden under their jersey and race pants? These New Year, New Gear interviews on FATBMX give you an idea what the pros think about their racing kit, protection gear and helmet. Safety first!

Name: James Palmer
Country: Canada
Sponsors: Factory Clayborn/Answer Bmx

Helmet: 6D - ATB 1
Goggles: 100%
Gloves: Deft Family
Jersey: Clayborn/Answer Bmx
Racing pants: Answer
Shoes: Shimano or Vans

Name: Simone Tetsche Christensen
Country: Denmark
Sponsors: Centrano, Kronjylland VVS, Fly Racing Denmark, HT components, 222cycles, Skatepro,

Helmet: Fly Racing F2 Carbon MIPS
Goggles: 100%
Gloves: Fly Racing
Jersey: Fly Racing or National shirt
Racing pants: Fly Racing
Shoes: Specialized S Works 6 XC
First layer clothes: Virus Compression

Safety pads:

Body: N/A
Elbow: iXS Flow Elbow Guards
Knee and shine: iXS cleaver knee/shin guards

How many racing kits do you normally have during one season of BMX racing?
Simone Tetsche Christensen: 2-3