Laura's UCI BMX WorldCup Title Season 2016
The Dutch BMX scene got together on Friday night during the Moora Cup awards at the Skate Café in Amsterdam. The place was going to be opened the next day so having the wild BMX bunch in there the night before was a bit risky. But everyone behaved the best they could (ahum) and most of the nominated riders were present. BMX was celebrated and having everyone in one place together should happen more often because good times were had. And the winners are.....
Beste Flat Rijder *
Sietse van Berkel
Beste Broekie *
This Friday December 16th the Moora Cup will take place at the Skate Café in Amsterdam. The new bar (with indoor concrete mini/bowl en paardenhoek) will be turned upside down when the Dutch BMX scene will welcome the cup winners. You can still vote till midnight today by going to the website. Here are the nominees.
Beste Flat Rijder *
Dez Maarsen
Sietse van Berkel
Gino Stuart
Beste Broekie *
Jari Roggeveen
Niels van Maren
Tristan van den Berg
Lifetime Achievement Award *
Name: Merle van Benthem
Number in Rio: 75
Country: The Netherlands
Result: Semi final
How big was your struggle even making it to the Olympics?
Merle: To be honest it was a pretty rough road to Rio. Had to deal with a fractured back, a torn ACL and a pretty bad concussion but once I made it, it was all worth it.
What were your personal goals two weeks before the Olympic race?
Merle: My goals were to medal.
How much different did the track look when you saw it for the first time?
Merle: The track looked a lot different during the Olympics than the first time we saw the track at the test event. Not just the green asphalt turns but the track looked way smoother and faster than during the test event.
How big was your team arond you in Rio? (mechanic, coach, nutrition, physio, family/friends, etc...)
Merle: My parents and brother came out to Rio to support. My best friend who is a Dutch track cyclist and other couple Dutch athletes were in the stands to support. And of course the Dutch staff.
Name: Twan van Gendt
Number in Rio: 148
Country: The Netherlands
Result: 5th in semi
How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Twan van Gendt: Well it was pretty tough. Jelle and I where the first nominated but due a lot of injuries I almost missed out on the Olympics. Making the main at the World Championships saved and secured my spot for the Olympics
Bikenight 2.0. BMX allowed for 5 hours at Pier 15 in Breda, Netherlands on a Monday night.
Sometimes the events where you have the least expectations turn out to be the best. Pier 15 skatepark opened up for a night of BMX. The best day of the week was picked to allow BMX at the skatepark for five hours: Monday. Some Fontys students were involved to get the jam going but Paul and I had no clue on what to expect. On arrival we were gladly surprised by the number of riders present. Pier 15 is a real street-ish park and we counted around 50 riders around 7pm. The Paul's Boutique banners were put up in a few minutes and the prizes were handed over to the students to display on a table. The park was open and the so was the bar.
The session was on with riders like Niels Mertens, Benoit VDG, Joeri Veul, Frank Nabuurs, Sem Kok, Jesper Vervoort who were later joined by Milan and Janos Baars, Steijn Leijzer, Sybren Planting, and Daan van Wezel. Daan did find something big in Breda by double pegging the rail of the balcony out of a tiny quarter pipe. It took a few tries, but he got it done.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.