Masa Sampei JAPAN Name the best thing about the country you live in: “I really like the food. Everything is so much different in Japan compared to other countries and the food being the biggest difference. Everyone says it looks horrible but tastes great.” How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? “I have been racing for twelve years now and can never see myself quiting. It is a great oppurtunity to travel around the world and have great friends in every country. I will be at the UCI World Championships in 2060, racing Elite Men when I am 70 years old …ha ha.” Favorite track in your country? What makes it so good? “Joetsu. They have really wide straights and it is the only track in Japan with a pro section.” What is your ranking in your country right now? Any impressive past titles? “I have been 2-time UCI World Champ, 9-times Japan National Champ, and 1-time Japan 4X Champ.” What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? “I’ll be in China watching BMX in the Olympics, since I will not be old enough to compete. I cant wait! It will be great for our sport.” What other things are you into? “BMX is my life. I put all of my time and effort into school and BMX.” Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: “My Redline, face wash, and some Axe body spray -BoomChickaWahWah.” What has BMX racing taught you about life? “It has taught me a lot, especially English …haha. I have made a lot of friends and learned a lot about different cultures from traveling around the world and staying with friends for long periods of time. It has taught me to never give up and anything is ours providing we are willing to pay the price.”
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Martin Scherpen
NETHERLANDS Name the best thing about the country you live in: Good national team in BMX. How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? I started racing in 1992 when i was still 3 years old, so I am racing now after 16 years. I guess what has kept me in racing is my good results in the Challenge classes; I’ve won a few World titles and followed my dream. Favorite Track in your country? What makes it so good? Valkenswaard is a good track – it was home of the 2004 World Champs. What is your ranking in your Country right now? I have won the National Championships two years in a row - 2006 & 2007. What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? Be in China and win a medal. What other things are you into, outside of BMX? I like to update my website [martijnscherpen.com] and hang out with friends but most of the time I am in with BMX. Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: Bike, helmet & phone. What has BMX racing taught you about life? Everything I know - since I growed up in BMX.
Jason Carnes USA
Robert De Wilde NETHERLANDS
Name the best thing about the Country you live in: There are too many good things to choose just one. I love America! It’s the land of the free and home of the brave... and it’s nice that people can understand what I’m saying here. How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? I started in the summer of ‘86. I was hooked fom the first time I rolled off the gate. I like riding my bike today as much as I did back then. After years of riding for fun, it actually evolved into a career. Besides, I’m not good at anything else! Favorite Track in your country? What makes it so good? It’s a toss-up between the NBL Las Vegas and Boulder, NV tracks. They’re both super smooth with asphalt corners and have a nice mix of sprinting, rhythm sections, and jumps. What is your ranking in your Country right now? Current ranking...ABA Vet Pro #1. Have been since 2002. In, I was the 2006 UCI Challenge World Champion for both 30 and over men / 35-39 Cruiser, and in 2007 I repeated it in Cruiser. What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? Hopefully I’ll still be opening gifts from my August 4th birthday and watching my teammate Bubba Harris win a shiny gold medal. What other things are you into (outside of BMX)? I enjoy all types of cycling and spend a lot of time on my Redline road and mountain bikes. I like to hang out down at the local swim spots and sunbake my way to a nice golden-brown color. Then I head out and enjoy all the restaurants and music venues that make Austin, Texas a great place to live! Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: MP3 player, a fresh pack of razors and sunblock for my head. What has BMX racing taught you about life? I’ve learned that you get out what you put in! Appreciate every day, and try to pack as many crazy experiences as I can into this short life.
Name the best thing about the country you live in: The weather is always nice in Southern California. I used to live in the Netherlands where the weather can be very dreadful. Living in California is a huge upgrade. How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? I have been racing for 25 years now. I love going fast and jump over big jumps. I like the competition. It’s you against everybody else and you never really know who will win. Favorite track in your country? What makes it so good? I always loved the track in Doetichem. They had to move a couple of years ago. The track was completely made out of asphalt and it was super fast. It was an awesome track … as long as you didn’t crash on it. What is your ranking in your country right now? Any impressive past titles? I finished first this year in UCi World points. I won the World title in ’93 and ’99. I have two European titles; in ’99 and ’00. Finished first on the UCI World ranking 3 times. I Have four World Cup titles and five Dutch National titles. What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? Winning the gold medal. What other things are you into? Playing video games and hanging out on the couch watching TV.w Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: Laptop, PSP and noise canceling headphones. What has BMX racing taught you about life? That life can be very hard sometimes. I also learned if you want to get something done you have to do it yourself. I learned more about real life thru BMX than I did in school, but of course you still need school for the foundation.