Date 09. 02. 2010 (4839) |

ALISE POST - Interview The world around you more clearly noticed you for the first time in 2005 when you came second at the World Cup in France. It was really your first big international success. Ok when did you first start riding BMX? I started racing BMX when I was 6 years old. I raced the American series and had a lot of success for many years but didn’t go to any international races until the Paris World Championships. At this race, I holeshotted the final but Mariana Pajon passed me going in to the last turn, and I ended up second. I think this is definitely when the international world recognized me as a true competitor because it was the first time Mariana had ever been challenged. Since then I have gone to the Worlds every year and competed in a lot more international events. After the silver medal in France, followed by a further two years in the finals positions, eighth place in Brazil in 2006 and again second in Canada 2007. There many favoured you to gain the title of world champion, but again it was taken from you by Mariana Pajon from Colombia, who has lead your age category for many years. In what way do you think that Mariana was stronger than you? Every year I have gone to the Worlds and not gotten the results I have wanted. In Canada I felt really strong and was riding the best I had ever ridden to that point. In previous years, Mariana had beaten me due to her superior skill level, but in Canada I don’t think this was the case. Her strength down the first straight had caught up with mine and my skill had improved enough for me to make it around the track just as smooth as her. So all in all, I think Canada had been our most evenly matched race and I think it showed considering we split World Titles that year. She won 20” and I won 24”. I think if the Class (20”) race had been on Sunday of the event, I would’ve won that one instead. I think it just took me until later in the weekend to get the track completely dialed, and she had it perfect for our first match in 16 girls. However, in 15-16 girls cruiser I rode a perfect lap and got the best of her. It is always a good clean battle between us, and I don’t think it will ever disappear, even now that we’re in the elite ranks. I greatly respect her as a rider and love competing with her. After the World Championships in Australia in 2009, came a long-awaited transition from the junior category to the elite category? How are you managing it? According to the results so far it does not look bad. Of the three autumn UCI BMX Supercross races, you got to the finals twice. I think the transition was easier for me than most since I have been racing the elite women in the USA since I was 15, and started riding the supercross tracks at age 16. I have been excited to move up to the elite ranks, and even though there will be more competition, I think I will be okay. I have pretty good results so far, and I think I have a lot of potential yet so it will only get better. You were doing well in the first race of 2010. You even won twice at The Silver Dollar Nationals. It seems that in the U.S. this year, you have been focused more on the ABA series, but are you planning on an attack on the overall victory in the NBL? There has only been one NBL race so far this year and I was in Nerang, Australia during it so I couldn’t make it there, but there is definitely potential of me hitting the series later this year after they get everything finalized with their new rules. As far as ABA though, it is always a top priority for me to represent my sponsors well there and I will continue to race full force in the series. The ABA is also hosting all the UCI races, so it is important for me to stay competitive The Olympics is the dream of every athlete. In Beijing, you still could not start because of your age, but in London it is already possible. the USA have started their qualification quite well. You are third behind France and Australia with a large gap ahead of fourth position, Holland. That would mean 2 positions for women from the U.S. to start in London. Are you already thinking about the possibility to qualify for the Olympics, or are you focused on the upcoming season? Of course it’s the overall goal to be in the 2012 Olympics but there are a lot of steps still before reaching that top level. I try to focus on one footstep at a time and like to think that will get me to the London. Who do you see as the favourite qualifier for the Olympic Games in London from the American women's category? At the moment it seems that Arielle Martin would be the favourite, but there's still three seasons left. Brooke Crain looks like a strong favourite also, in a year's time maybe Dominique Daniels, but it does not seem as if a Supercross tracks suit her? I think the competition is only going to get stiffer in the USA as we approach 2012. Arielle Martin is obviously the most experienced at this point, but I think all of us younger riders have a lot of potential yet and with the new Women’s Olympic Development Squad (WODS) program the USA has put together, there will be a lot of improvement from everyone. I don’t want to count anybody out because in two years a lot can change in a sport like BMX. As for now we all just need to do well to maintain or better our country’s “2 women” position, and from there only time will tell. Any last words? I just want to thank the people that support me including my parents and family, REDLINE, JBL Audio, GO211.com, Tangent, Oakley, FLY, Tioga, Sun Ringle, and USA Cycling. Thanks for the interview and good luck in 2010. Rene Zivny