Priscilla Stevaux Carnaval | Brazil | Rio Olympics

November 2016

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We recently caught up with Olympic host nation athlete, Brazil’s Priscilla Stevaux Carnaval, to find out her thoughts on her first games and to get a closer look at her understated (in Olympic terms) but totally dialled Olympic bike … one of our favourites.

Here’s what she had to say …

 

15: After all the hype and two years of point gathering did the Olympics live up to the dream?

Stevaux93: For sure, that was my biggest dream, sometimes I think back to the past when I was watching my idols on TV and DVD’s and can’t believe I’m now one of them. Now that I have made that dream come true it’s time to set a new goal of an Olympic Medal in 2020.

 

15: Being on home soil must have made the games even more special to you?

Stevaux93: To be racing my first Olympics was a really special moment in my life, it being on home soil made it unforgettable. All the Brazilian crowd giving me support at the Olympic games felt like I wasn’t only a rider at the event but that I had the power of a Nation in each pedal, each jump. Just an incredible experience, I will never forget the feeling!

 

15: Did you feel extra pressure because of all the Brazilian fans?

Stevaux93: Actually no, that was something I was really curious and worried about before I got there, how would I react to this huge moment. I was happy, I felt like they give me extra power and confidence at the race. I’ve watched the past Olympics and I saw many really good riders who were caught by the pressure and didn’t ride the way they can … so I’m glad I was able to deal with that!

 

15: What did you think of the rebuilt track when you finally got to ride it?

Stevaux93: At the test event I didn’t think the track was really bad, it just needed a few adjustments before the Olympic Games. Actually I thought that it was a simple track, not as technical and as hard as the Worlds Championships track in Medellin for the girls or the Chula Vista track. That made the competition really tight as all of us could go almost the same speed with no secrets.

 

15: Reflecting back on the Rio experience, what was the stand out moment for you?

Stevaux93: That it was really cool how it got to influence the Brazilian riders seeing me at the Olympic Games. It was motivation to many kids from Brazil and around the world, that was one of my goals … to get there, prove it could be done if you believe in it … inspiring the new generation. It is still going on as I have been talking in schools about BMX and the Olympic experience, that is very gratifying!

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OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Frame: Chase Bicycles RSP 3.0 | Pro | Red / Polished

Forks: BOX Components X²

Bars: Eleven 7.5″

Stem: Profile Forty

Grips: ODI Ruffian lock-on

Headset: Elevn

Seat: Elevn

Cranks: Shimano DXR 175mm

Gearing: 41 / 15

OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Bottom Bracket: Elevn

Pedals: Shimano SPD PD-M424

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: Shimano DXR

Front Hub: Onyx Racing 20mm Pink

Rear Hub: Onyx Racing Pro Pink

Rims: Sun Ringle Envy

Tyres: Tioga Powerblock 1.60″ / 85psi

Plate: Box Components #93

OLYMPIC BIKE CHECK:

Frame: Chase Bicycles RSP 3.0 | Pro | Red / Polished

Forks: BOX Components X²

Bars: Eleven 7.5″

Stem: Profile Forty

Grips: ODI Ruffian lock-on

Headset: Elevn

Seat: Elevn

Cranks: Shimano DXR 175mm

Gearing: 41 / 15

Bottom Bracket: Elevn

Pedals: Shimano SPD PD-M424

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: Shimano DXR

Front Hub: Onyx Racing 20mm Pink

Rear Hub: Onyx Racing Pro Pink

Rims: Sun Ringle Envy

Tyres: Tioga Powerblock 1.60″ / 85psi

Plate: Box Components #93

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15: Where is your Olympic bike now? Are you still riding it or is it hanging on a wall somewhere?

Stevaux93: I have got two bikes for the Olympic Games, the one I rode in the Olympics was really similar as the one I was riding before the Olympics. The difference is that one was Chase RSP 2.0 and the new one a Chase RSP 3.0. I’m using both but for competition World Cups I’m using the Olympic Bike.

 

15: How involved where you in the build, part spec. and look of the bike?

Stevaux93: Actually, as I knew about my Olympic spot a bit too close to the Games, I didn’t choose much but colours. I did choose some details, such as hubs colours, frame brand and made sure I had everything on point to get the bike set for the Olympic Games. I loved it that was the best bike I’ve ever had!

 

15: Is 2020 Tokyo on your radar just yet or is it too far away to start thinking about just yet?

Stevaux93: Yes it definitely is! Four years pass way too fast, each day counts to get there and be as ready as possible. I am actually really excited to prepare myself for it, I can’t wait for the next cycle.

 

15: Every BMX racer coming up through the ranks would have been looking at you in Rio, thinking ‘I want to be there’. What advice would you give to riders looking to achieve the Olympic dream?

Stevaux93: First of all, the limit is an illusion, you can make it, believe me, but first believe in yourself and work on it with love, passion and all the rest is just a consequence!

 

15: What are your plans for 2017 season? Where will we see you get on the gate?

Stevaux93: I’ll be racing my favourite championship, the Supercross Series in Belgium, the Netherlands and Argentina, also hopefully I get the World Championships spot for Rock Hill. I’ll race Nationals in Brazil and the Continental Championships!

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Photos: Priscilla Stevaux Carnaval | Rubens Shiromano

 

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