Denzel Stein USA
Anders Grønsund NORWAY
The Callens
Name the best thing about the country you live in: “The chicks love BMX.”
Name the best thing about the country you live in: “It’s a safe country and you never have any worries. I can leave my bike unlocked in the city for a week and it will still be there when I return.” How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? “For 7 years, and my motivation & inspiration have been top pro riders that have taught me how to train, and how to live the BMX life.” Favorite track in your country? What makes it so good? “Sandnes BMX track in Sandnes. It a big & fast track,wide open & the fastest rider wins the races. Having big jumps, good turns and the club works hard to take care of their pro riders.” What is your ranking in your country right now? Any impressive past titles? “I don’t have any ranking in Norway right now, since I have been on the UCI high level training camp thru the whole season. But normally I should be top podium together with the rest of the Norwegian Redline team.” What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? “To have a perfect form, to make a dream come true by competing with the worlds fastest riders and to have fun!” What other things are you into? “Everything I do drags me into BMX, I love everything with it. I’ll try to spend some time with my girlfriend, but it’s hard when people call you and need help about BMX stuff.” Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: “My Flight Pro, my energy drinks to get a little extra boost in the mains, & of course my i-pod, to shut out the incoming talk at BMX races.” What has BMX racing taught you about life? “I can if I want, & if I want I can! Work for your goal and you can do what ever you want in your life.”
Name the best thing about the country you live in: “We like the space we have in Australia and the countryside; it’s like no where else in the world. The Aussie climate and easy-going approach to life.” How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? “We have been racing eight years. BMX keeps us all interested because we like the feeling you get from winning a really hard race and doing the best you can. The way every track is different has its own separate challenges is good. We also like traveling and racing in different parts of the World, against all different people.” Favorite track in your country? What makes it so good? “Hills in Perth is a great track because it is really fun to ride and it flows so nicely. And Lake Macquarie near Sydney is right as well, because its technical and smooth.” What is your ranking in your country right now? Any impressive past titles? Ziggy :“Ranked 2nd in Australia in both Junior Elite Women 20 inch and Cruiser. Also a 3-time Australian & Victorian Champion. In World rankings, I’ve been No.4 twice, No.6 and No.7. I represented Australia as part of the high performance tem for the 2007 UCI world titles.” Josh: “Ranked 2nd in Australia 16 boys 20inch and the current 15-16 cruiser champion. He has been Aussie champion 3 times. World rankings, 3-time World UCI Champ in age. Been a member of the national talent ID squad for the past two years.” Damien: “Currently 4th in Australia 40-44 cruiser and last year was Australian champion. Have two UCI world rankings a 5th and an 7th. Have been the Victorian champion and last year raced A-pro cruiser at the Vic State titles, where he finished 5th (not bad for an old fart).”
How long have you been racing, and what has kept you racing all these years? “I have been racing since 2000. Why? Because It gets the blood pumping and I love the good competition.” Favorite track in your country? What makes it so good? “I had a chance to stop at the NBL Grands track with Jason Carnes, and that track is soooooooo fast and smooth. So Louisville, Kentucky would be one of the best I’ve been to. And of course, my local track is DeSoto BMX in Texas. It’s also one of the best BMX tracks in the U.S.” What is your ranking in your country right now? Any impressive past titles? “I am currently National Age Group No.1 in the ABA, and Amateur No.2. I just won the USA Cycling National Champs and UCI World Champs in 16 Boys. Hopefully I can add a National No.1 ABA title by the end of the year.” What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? “Watching it on TV, and begin my training for 2012.” What other things are you into? “BMX takes up most of my time, so I don’t do much of anything else outside of BMX. Being the People’s Champ is not easy.” Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: “My bike, my game face and my ponies.” What has BMX racing taught you about life? “To always have fun and love what you do.” 4
Ziggy, Josh, & Damien AUSTRALIA
What are your plans for August 20 & 21, 2008? Ziggy: “I intend to have qualified for the Australian team and represent Australia at the Olympics, and will be having a go for a medal.” Josh & Damien: “We hope to be watching and cheering Zig on from the sidelines.” What other things are you into? Ziggy: “I am pretty busy with school, because I am currently finishing year 12. I have raced a few road races and I like that--I won the Victorian Highschool championships for 17-18 girls last year. I also enjoy surfing and skiing, dirtbike riding, and I’m starting to ride some dirt jumps on my BMX. Josh: “I really enjoy surfing, dirt bikes and snowboarding. I love doing dirt jumps, I also like listening to music and I play a little guitar. I also like doing a little road racing, like Zig, and I am the current Victoria school champ.” Damien: “I’m a music teacher and our school has a music group that does a lot of performances and touring. I started BMX after the kids but my passion has always been motorbikes. I own two old Ducati’s. I also love to surf, as I grew up on the beach.” Name three must-have things when you travel to a BMX race: Ziggy: “It changes over the years but for the last year it has been a good luck maori jade stone necklace that my brother gave me with a ribbon for jasha and a necklace with my star sign (a bull for taurus, and strengh) from Joe. These are more just good luck charms than superstitious beliefs. I can win without them.” Josh: “ I always have a lucky pair of socks. Generally when I travel, I’ve got to take my i-pod.” Damien: “ The main thing I take is my body armor as I like jumping -but I still have have a bit to learn. The other two things I always take to the track would be Ziggy and Josh.” What has BMX racing taught you about life? Callen’s: “Hard work pays off. This we can see from our training…” Ziggy: “…and to always believe in yourself.”