IIn our new series of columns we let new people have their say. This time we get the first column from William Van de Putte. The 30-year-old freestyler from Olen started his career in MX. In 2005 he participated in the MX3 World Championship but his passion for freestyle grew bigger and bigger. In 2004 he was already the first Belgian rider who dared to do a backflip and was able to complete it successfully. Below is his first column!
Hello everyone! I hope it is not too cold for you in Belgium, here in sunny Spain it is currently nice and warm and ideal for driving 😀! I'm currently working on a new project, but more about that later!
About 1 year ago I had my bad crash here in Spain... I was training with some friends and while performing a very simple backflip, which I had done hundreds of times flawlessly, my engine stalled in the air. I landed hard on my head and it was immediately clear that it was serious. I was still conscious but was immediately transferred to Badalona hospital. There they discovered a small brain hemorrhage and decided to put me in an induced coma to limit the damage. I don't remember anything about that day at all. I woke up 4 weeks later with my parents and some friends surrounding me. Even those moments I remember very little. I had been drugged for 4 weeks and that was really no joke... I needed another 2 weeks before I really realized where I was and what had just happened.
Afterwards I had to recuperate for 5 months in a rehabilitation center in Duffel. This was the hardest thing I have ever experienced! Crashing and broken bones are part of the sport and don't bother me, but that rehabilitation? I never want to experience that again! These were terrible months, not only physically but also mentally. Fortunately, I had enormous support from people around me who were there for me at all times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone again for the many messages of support, cards, etc. This has certainly helped me in my rehabilitation.
However, during my rehabilitation I knew one thing for sure. I must and would jump back on a motorcycle as soon as I could! Many may think I'm crazy, but FMX is my life and I enjoy it so much. And that's how it happened. 1 months after my fall I jumped on my motorcycle again. I have to say that it was a bit awkward at first, but I soon got the hang of it again and it all came back.
I don't like to stick around and have always been someone who likes to try new things. Almost 10 years ago, I was the first Belgian rider to perform a backflip. Another highlight for me was the jump on the Zwarte cross 2 years ago. Monster Energy came up with the crazy project to jump over the main stage during the performance of Kaiser Chiefs and Within Temptation. For this I had to bridge a distance of 40 meters at a height of more than 15 meters. I designed the entire set-up myself and had full confidence that I would succeed. The test runs went smoothly, but something went wrong on the first day of the event. Due to a strong gust of wind I fell 2 meters short and I fell over. Luckily I only suffered some bruises. However, on the third day of the festival I wanted to try it again. I was 100% confident that this would work and flew towards the ramp with the throttle 100% open. Result: this time I landed 5 meters further than planned and there I was again, luckily without much damage again. The life of a freestyler I believe!
Now, 1 year after my coma crash, I am ready for a new challenge. A few weeks ago I dreamed about a front flip. Initially I thought “front somersaults on a dirt bike, how do you even think about it!?!”, but I did a little research and asked Paris Rosen for some advice, who had already tried to perform this trick several times on the X Games. Soon the dreams turned into sleepless nights where I kept thinking about this trick. Before I left for Spain I grabbed some iron and other material to adapt the ramp for the front flip.
Last Monday I started the first training sessions in the mousse tank and they went very well. Now it's three days later and I've almost completely mastered the rotation (check the videos!), so everything is going as in my dreams! I am already looking forward to the sequel and will certainly keep you informed of the progress.
I don't really think about the fact that this is a trick that is super dangerous and difficult to perform. This is what I do and what I love! “God didn't give me a second chance to chill and hide. He loved what I'm doing. I have to Ride!”
Now I'm going to quickly do some front flips in the mousse tank! I say, see you next column and RIDE ON!
First attempts Monday 27-1
Day 3 – Wednesday January 29