Swiss-American rider Nikita Ducarroz has long been a familiar face on top of the podium at the World’s biggest BMX contests. She’s also no stranger to the challenges faced by every pro rider; whether it’s filming videos, attending press events, constant travel or simply holding it down as a role model to younger riders, Nikita has always gone above and beyond.
My 2017. The BMX girls had a killer year in 2017. Nikita Ducarroz is one of the more professional riders with a strong list of sponsors backing her up. Although Nikita lives in the USA and grew up there, she has chosen to represent Switzerland on her way to the qualifying process for the first Olympic Games that BMX Park is a part of. Read below what Nikita has to say about 2017.
Name: Nikita Ducarroz
Hometown: Glen Ellen, California
Sponsors: Mongoose, Joby, G-Form, Extreme, Black&Decker
Do you remember the first BMX event you went to this year and how did it go?
Nikita Ducarroz: First event was FISE Montpellier. It was my first big overseas event and actually the only stop this year where I stomped my run start to finish with the 540. There were so many amazing riders there that when I made podium, it was a huge accomplishment!
How many weekends/days were you away from home and at a BMX jam/contest or on tour?
Nikita Ducarroz: It felt like I was never home this year between BMX and family trips, but it was only about 11 weekends out of the year that I was at BMX contests. About 80 days.
What was the best event you went to this year that gets your vote?
We joined two of the top women's BMX athletes in the world, Cory Coffey and Nikita Duccaroz, for a ride around Budapest and discussed why it's an exciting time for women's BMX.
Mongoose Bikes rider, Nikita Ducarroza moved from a tiny NorCal village to San Diego. Moves are always challenging but now that she's been there a little while Nikita said; "it’s hands-down the only place I’d ever want to live!". One thing that really impressed her was the riding scene. "I especially love the fact that you can ride everything here. For this video, we spent three days hitting up the Claremont and MLK skateparks, Home Ave Ditch, and a few other spots around San Diego." Looks like Nikita likes her new territory.
In a sport mainly dominated by male athletes, Nikita Ducarroz has risen to great heights not only athletically but professionally as well. Ducarroz has a special skill not only on her bike but when it comes to business as well. Social media has become a very popular way for action sports athletes to promote their careers. Ducarroz has become very talented in this type of promotion. Her Instagram account alone has nearly 20,000 followers. Ducarroz is also setting a great example for BMX riders by becoming an entrepreneur at such an early age.
When she was just 15, Ducarroz started FDV, a company that offered BMX gear and clothing to riders all across the world. Getting started early was a key point for Ducarroz's success in the BMX industry. She had always loved jumping off of things on her bike as a kid, but things really changed when she was 13 and started seeing BMX videos, and being inspired by some of the greatest BMX tricks ever.
Ducarroz is excited to see more competitions and push herself as a rider. Continuing to meet her current sponsors' expectations and seek new sponsors is also a part of Ducarroz's game plan.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.