Interview with Red Bull X-Fighters

  • Jun 30, 2012
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ZigWheels gets up close and personal with Red Bull X-Fighters Martin Koren, Gilles Dejong, Nick Franklin and Nick De Wit who are in India for their Freestyle Motocross (FMX) showcase in New Delhi on June 30. We get an insight into the world of FMX and the stars in person

Red Bull X Fighters

ZW: When did you take up Freestyle Motocross? What inspired you?

X-Fighters: Martin Koren took up Freestyle Motocross in 2003. The big jumps which define the FMX sport were what inspired him says Martin. Gilles Dejong had been a Motocross rider for 10 years before he took up FMX as a career in 2006. 

Both Nick de Wit and Nick Franklin took up FMX in 2001 though both were into Motocross racing before that. Nick de Wit says it’s the jumps that inspired him to take up FMX. Franklin says he switched from competitive MX into FMX which started with trying out casual FMX stunts.

ZW: For how many hours on an average do you practice in a day?

X-Fighters : The Red Bull X Fighters are constantly travelling from tour to tour and competition to competition. So although we would like to practice everyday it’s not always possible. On an average we manage to practice for about three hours a day, thrice a week. 

ZW: What do you like doing on a vacation? Any hobbies apart from Freestyle Motocross?

X-Fighters : As adventurous as FMX riders are, our enthusiasm is carried over into their free time as well. On vacations Martin likes to go rock climbing. He also enjoys snowboarding and takes a fancy to competitive sports. Gilles Dejong follows his passion of BMX riding during vacations.

Both Nick de Wit and Nick Franklin enjoy keeping fit during their vacations. Franklin enjoys running track and going mountain biking during his vacations. 

ZW: What kind of workouts do you follow as FMX riders?

X-Fighters : On an average we workout for about six hours a week in about 1-2 hours workout sessions. We work on coordination exercises, dynamics, strength building exercises, balance enhancing exercising, flexibility and a lot of cardio to stay fit. 

Strengthening exercises are very important so that we do not hurt ourselves too badly when we fall.

ZW: What are the biggest challenges of being a Freestyle Motocross rider?

X-Fighters : Martin and Gilles consider the fear as one of their biggest challenges. Trying out new tricks and pulling off breathtaking stunts on (and momentarily off) a motorcycle in mid air is no easy feat. The trick is to make fear your friend says Martin. Freestyle Motocross is all in your head and your ability to push ahead with confidence. 

The frequent travel is another significant challenge according to the Nicks. Frequent trips around the world result in jetlag which means there is fewer time for practicing and trying out new tricks. 

Being away from home and friends and family is something we have to constantly deal with. 

Red Bull X Fighters at India Gate

ZW: When did you associate yourself with Red Bull and why?

X-Fighters : Nick Franklin associated himself with Red Bull in 2002 while Nick de Wit did so in 2004. Red Bull’s sponsorship has given us a lot of exposure and opportunities in the sport.

ZW: What bikes are you using? Please tell us a bit about their specifications? Also, what modifications have they undergone for the purpose?

X-Fighters : We are all using KTM 250cc two-stroke motorcycles that generate 50PS of power along with suspension modifications that make it very stiff with slow rebound. Flip levers on the handlebars provide added support while doing stunts such as backflips, and stabilisers are another common modification. Thankfully, KTM is very good in providing support for parts. 

For every event small changes are made to the bike, the exhaust can be modified for more power. 

ZW: What is your favourite bike and why?

X-Fighters : Martin’s favourite bike is the Motocross bike while Gilles likes the KTM 450. The Nicks prefer the KTM 250 two-stroke bike. It serves their purpose very well and the bikes are very powerful too. 

However, it would be worth mentioning that all of the Red Bull X fighters consider it too dangerous to ride on the road and avoid doing so. Only Nick Franklin recently got a Honda 80 scooter home, although he hasn’t seen it yet.

ZW: What is your favourite Freestyle Motocross stunt?

X-Fighters : Martin’s favourite stunt is the whip while Gilles says his is the turndown.

Nick de Wit likes the backflip while Nick Franklin’s favourite stunt keeps changing and he likes trying new stunts, his last being something he calls the off turnside. 

ZW: Who would you consider as your biggest competitors?

X-Fighters : We are our biggest competition. The sport has only positive completion where we support others who do well but push ourselves to do better. 

Different riders perform differently at different times. Pushing one self to do new stuff is the core. 

Of course, there is that little voice in our heads which urges us to do so in safe manner says Nick de Wit. 

Red Bull X Fighters at work

ZW: Is there any particular type of climate that is most suited to Freestyle Motocross?

X-Fighters : The ideal climate for performing includes temperatures between 15 – 20 ºC with no wind at sea level altitude are ideal for Freestyle Motocross. 

ZW: Do you have any favourite location for performing, apart from your home turf, of course?

X-Fighters : For Martin and Gilles, the Royal Hills in France is the best place to perform as the people are really cool there and they cheer the X Fighters a lot. 

Both the Nicks feel that Spain is a better place to perform as the crowd is properly loud there. 

ZW: Have you been to India before? What do you have to say about the country and the food?

X-Fighters : We have never been to India before and have not got the time to see the country yet. Nick Franklin, who is from New Zealand, says Indian food is quite popular there and he loves butter chicken. He can’t wait for the real deal now that he is in India! 

ZW: Do you have anything to say about the suitability of the weather for performing your stunts?

X-Fighters : The weather in Delhi is very hot and we wear a lot of protective clothing which will make it difficult to perform for long durations at one go. We will have to take frequent breaks and maybe even cut down the length of the performance as perspiration is a big distraction. The heat and perspiration will leads to fatigue more quickly. 

ZW: What kind of stunts are you looking to perform on Saturday? Have you been practicing any new stunts? And will you be performing them on Saturday?

X-Fighters : Ah! That you will have to wait and see. Gilles will be pulling off a really cool one though says Martin. 

ZW: Could you tell us about evolution of the sport? 

X-Fighters : The sport began in US in the year 1994 when professional Motocross riders took to riding their Motocross bikes on natural terrain and started experimenting with small tricks. 

Mike Metzger, one of the earliest guys to start Freestyle Motocross with the ‘Heelclicker’ trick kick started the sport. Today, he is known as the Godfather of FMX. Jeremy McGrath invented the ‘Nac Nac’ trick which brought showmanship to the sport of FMX. Ever since, showmanship has become a big part of the sport. 

In 1999 the first ever FMX championship was held in Las Vegas. 

Nick de Wit and Nick Franklin
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ZW: Can you comment on the growth of the sport with a global perspective?

X-Fighters : There is no limit to the growth of the sport. Riders will go on inventing new stunts and tricks. In short, it will have a never ending evolution. 

In the beginning FMX tricks were only done in a straight line. Then it moved on to all-around and upside down tricks. Today, tricks are becoming more and more technical. 

ZW: Are there any mathematical calculations involved in these technical tricks?

X-Fighters : No, there is no math involved in the tricks. Its all about the rider’s intuition and judgement that give the rider the confidence to pull off a trick. 

ZW: Looking forward what would you like to achieve in your career?

X-Fighters : Martin wants to finish on the podium during the X-Games and Red Bull X Fighters Competitions While Gilles wants to be one of the top X Fighters in the world. 

Nick de Wit likes to pass on his FMX techniques to the next generation of riders. He even conducts riding camps back at home to teach young FMX riders how to pull off some neat tricks while emphasising on safety.

For Nick Franklin, riding is a passion and that’s the only thing he wants to do. 

ZW: Can you tell us a little bit about the FMX 4ever forum?

X-Fighters : The FMX 4ever forum is based in Belgium and forms the building blocks for any Freestyle Motocross rider. It organises all logistics for tours. 

The interaction with Martin Koren, Gille Dejong, Nick de Wit and Nick Franklin has provided an insight into the world of Freestyle Motocross, which is still pretty much an alien sport in India. 

Enough said, catch all the action LIVE at India Gate, New Delhi at 4:30 pm on the 30th of June, 2012. And yes, CHEER! Cause we want the Red Bull X Fighters to host a competitive leg in India as well that will offer youngsters here a chance to take up this sport.  

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