Eddy Clerte | Change is Coming
A change in the BMX hierarchy is on the horizon …
2020, or at least the first half of it, will be dominated by the pursuit of the Olympic dream, which will culminate in a trip to Tokyo for the fortunate few. But what then, what comes next, who comes next? Who is poised to step into the vacuum that will be left when some take their foot off the gas post Tokyo? Our prediction … France’s Eddy Clerte will be amoung the next generation at the top of the sport! Still only 21 years old, he has already proven he was what it takes to succeed at the highest level, a characteristic only a handful in the sport can attest to … change is coming, so we though it was about time we caught up with the man who many be at the centre of it …
Eddy Clerte | Change is Coming
A change in the BMX hierarchy is on the horizon …
2020, or at least the first half of it, will be dominated by the pursuit of the Olympic dream, which will culminate in a trip to Tokyo for the fortunate few. But what then, what comes next, who comes next? Who is poised to step into the vacuum that will be left when some take their foot off the gas post Tokyo? Our prediction … France’s Eddy Clerte will be amoung the next generation at the top of the sport! Still only 21 years old, he has already proven he was what it takes to succeed at the highest level, a characteristic only a handful in the sport can attest to … change is coming, so we though it was about time we caught up with the man who many be at the centre of it …
15: First off, congratulations on an amazing year on the bike, your first World Cup final in Rock Hill and of course a podium in the Red Bull Pump Track Worlds in Switzerland. Are you happy with how it went in general?
Eddy: This year was special, it started off with a shoulder injury in February which took me some time to get back on the right path. The Rock Hill World Cup was such a weird day with a huge storm, and yeah it was good to be able to make that step and get that first world cup main, but it’s never enough, I guess. For the pump track I was obviously disappointed ’cause I missed the opportunity a year ago and this year I was ready, then I injured my shoulder off the track the night before … so getting 3rd was cool as I couldn’t move my arm the day before. So many mistakes in my personal life made this year harder than it should of been, but I learned a lot and that’s all that matters now.
15: How did the vibe at the Pump Track Worlds compare to a major BMX race? We assume you’re already checking out dates for next year’s events?
Eddy: The vibe is incomparable! I’ve never experienced anything like that before and that’s why I love it. Everyone is happy and enjoying riding bikes. The pump track is also such a great test, focusing only on yourself, no mistakes allowed, that’s basically what I have to do with 7 other guys in BMX racing.
15: You’re known as a highly skilled rider, yet your World Cup final was on arguably the least technical track on the circuit, Rock Hill. Why do you think it all came together in South Carolina?
Eddy: Good question! I think this track is really open, there is a lot of places to pass and a lot of space in the corners which make it good for smart riders. I felt good on the track, didn’t make many mistakes, was consistent and just enjoyed riding.
15: What’s your thoughts on the current direction of the Supercross tracks, it seems to us that they are getting tamer as time goes by.
Eddy: I feel like all the new tracks that are being made are just too safe, and pro-sets are not pro-sets anymore! The girls are starting to jump the men’s side everywhere and it just shows that it’s changing for the safety, would any of the girls go jump the 2013 Papendal pro-set? I don’t think so.I wish I would’ve been old enough to ride those crazy tracks the older generation use to have.
BIKE CHECK
Frame: Sunn Factory 2020, 22.5″ top tube.
Forks: Box X5
Bars: BOX 8″
Stem: BOX top load 60mm
Grips: ODI Aron Gwin One
Headset: FSA
Seat: BOX Components
Seat Clamp: Hope Tech
Cranks: BOX Components, 177.5mm
Sprocket: BOX 44 tooth
Bottom Bracket: Praxis (box)
Pedals: Hope Tech flat pedals and Shimano DXR clips
Brakes: Hope Tech Disc
Front Hub: BOX Components 20mm
Rear Hub: Onyx Ultra SS
Rims: Ikon BMX carbon
Tyres: Vee tires, Team edition
Plate: BOX Phase One with Alb designed label
BIKE CHECK
Frame: Sunn Factory 2020, 22.5″ top tube.
Forks: Box X5
Bars: BOX 8″
Stem: BOX top load 60mm
Grips: ODI Aron Gwin One
Headset: FSA
Seat: BOX Components
Seat Clamp: Hope Tech
Cranks: BOX Components, 177.5mm
Sprocket: BOX 44 tooth
Bottom Bracket: Praxis (box)
Pedals: Hope Tech flat pedals and Shimano DXR clips
Brakes: Hope Tech Disc
Front Hub: BOX Components 20mm
Rear Hub: Onyx Ultra SS
Rims: Ikon BMX carbon
Tyres: Vee tires, Team edition
Plate: BOX Phase One with Alb designed label
15: Where do you look most forward to racing each year? Do you have a favourite track?
Eddy: I really love riding and racing anywhere because at my home track there is no big hill, no pro-sets. So, everywhere I go to race, the tracks are usually better than what I have at home and I love it. Favourite track? The Mariana Pajon track in Medellin … I would love to have world cup races on tracks like that.
15: In BMX terms, you’re unfortunate to be in the French system with so many talented riders. It’s got to be difficult to navigate that system when it comes to selection for the National Team and the Worlds for example?
Eddy: A World Cup main is not enough to make it into the French Team but I’m fine with it. I guess you just have to truly deserve your spot in a country that made all of us fast because of the good level since we were kids. They really take care of their riders and make sure there is a good vibe in the team, which is good! I live good without being part of it, my motivation always stays high and that’s one of the reasons. My coach also plays a big role and make sure everything is perfect for me, him and my family will always be my team.
15: It’s going to be hard, which is a vast understatement, to be one of the probable 3 men who get to go to Tokyo next summer. What’s your goal for 2020?
Eddy: My goal is just as simple as being better than I was … grow, learn and make the best out of this life that will not last forever. Enjoy the small things and take care of the people that are important to me. Everything that should happen will happen …
15: 2024 in Paris is a very real possibility, you’ll be 25 and the French BMX rider list may look very different. Are you planning that far ahead?
Eddy: As I said, I think it’s not about looking for that one race to perform at or thinking about getting selected at that time… Getting better than I was will always be my biggest goal. Hopefully all those dreams will happen one day, but it has to happen naturally.
15: So, plans for 2020, where will we see you race? What’s the major goal for the new year?
Eddy: I’ll be racing all the world cup and my goal is to perform at all of those races. My goals is to find a good consistency on and off the bike, stay focused as I’ve been the past month and keep a good personal life balance.
READER QUESTIONS:
Reader: How much time do you spend training on flat pedals?
Eddy: I ride flats on pump tracks, and sprints, but this year I only rode on a BMX track one time on flats. So not much.
Reader: Do you ride trails / dirt jumps much?
Eddy: I don’t ride trails that much, but I wish I could. It’s always could to get the jumping flow back before the season starts.
Reader: What’s more important, time on the bike or time in the gym?
Eddy: You’ll need both if you want to race Elite, but time on the bike is a necessity.
Reader: What does your day before a big race consist of?
Eddy: Just stay at the hotel, maybe do a video of practice, read, activate and rest well.
Reader: Do you plan your videos or just randomly shoot and see what falls out?
Eddy: I never planned my videos, shoot randomly is my way I guess.
Reader: BMX idols or inspiration?
Eddy: Looking back to the way Sam Willoughby was riding is something that I really like. Mike Day was my favourite!
Reader: Why a cold Norway for winter training and not a warm Spain, your Dad wants to know!
Eddy: Norway is really cold, but also those conditions make everything harder and I need that. I realised not long ago that my comfort zone will lead me nowhere, so going to train in a warm place just to have the sun is definitely not for me. Off season training is not supposed to be a vacation. Tory Nyhaug use to call me ‘zero responsibility Eddy’ after spending a week with me in Colombia because I was so messy and unorganised (2017). I am also in Norway because it’s great to be around good people that showed me the way to be better as a person and I’m grateful for that.
