Welcome to planet Stoica!
We have many big names among our columnists. We are of course very proud of that. Our most recent addition to the column section will also be just as interesting, although he is less famous than the others. Certainly not under his real name, because Steven Stuyven is mainly known as Stoica. In addition to being a professional freestyler with FMX4ever, Stoica is also a talented designer. It is almost inevitable that you have already seen the graphic work of this young Belgian on motorcycles, helmets, logos and much more. If you want to know more about Stoica the designer, you can right here. And now let's get on with the show. Ladies and gentlemen; the one and only Stoica!
“I never thought I would ever have a column among the greats of the MX world! So you see where FMX takes you everywhere. Literally and figuratively. Thanks to Freestyle Motocross and FMX4ever I have been to fantastic places that I could otherwise only dream of. I have learned and seen a lot, and many doors have opened for me. For many people it seems as if Freestyle and motocross are two completely separate worlds. I tend to disagree. Of course there are differences and the approach of motocross GP pilots is completely different than that of FMX riders who earn their living with contests and demonstrations. But ultimately we are doing the same thing. Everyone in their own way then. By doing what you are good at, it is possible to turn your hobby into your profession. There is nothing I love more than riding my motorcycle and I feel lucky that I get to do that every day!
Travel has been a little calmer in recent weeks, although in our case that is always relative. I spent three weeks in the south of France to take advantage of the good weather and a beautiful domain for training. The only downside was that I had already suffered a collarbone injury on the first day! Fortunately, it was also quickly repaired. I have also had two snowboarding holidays. So I was recently at the Devil's Kitchen snowboard contest in Novapark Montafan was invited to sit on the jury. That competition was organized by a good friend, Svetko Baltic, who is a pro snowboarder himself and enjoys riding MX. In the winter I learn from him on the snowboard and in the summer he trains with us to learn how to cross better! Ideal for making progress. I think I have it in me to keep pushing the boundaries. That's also the case when I go snowboarding. I recently suffered a sprain in my ankle because there was no one among the men's pro snowboarders to try out a new jump. A piece of cake for Stoica! Although it turned out that there was just a rock when landing... Oh well, I have already resigned myself to those physical discomforts. I can't hold back, whether it's MX, BMX, skating or snowboarding. And with the right attitude you can also get over injuries faster. This way you also get to know your body better, of course.
Back to FMX. The FMX4ever team consists of a number of Belgians supplemented with foreign top players. Last year we did more than 65 shows around the world. Depending on the event, it will be determined who can represent the team. The Belgians are me, Gilles De Jong, Bjorn Van Den Broeck and of course Jimmy Verburgh, one of the pioneers of Freestyle in Europe. Our team also includes Nick De Wit (South Africa), Ronnie Renner (USA), Nick Franklin (New Zealand), Mat Rebeaud (Switzerland), Martin Koren (Czech Republic) and the two Swedes Daniel Bodin and Morgan Carlsson.
My first show this year was a very nice experience. As part of the X-Fighters Exhibition Tour, we visit interesting countries to promote FMX and the Red Bull X-Fighters. That's how we ended up in Taipei (Taiwan) in January. We were very well received and the shows were a huge success. That trip also includes a nice anecdote.
In Taipei we visited the 101 Tower. It is called that because it has 101 floors. At more than 500 meters (including antenna), it is one of the tallest buildings in the world. A few years ago, base jumper Felix Baumgartner pulled off a huge stunt there by jumping off the building. Of course, that wasn't easy, because BASE jumping usually remains an illegal activity! So Baumgartner had to explore the area in disguise in advance, smuggle his parachute up - he had hidden it in the toilet - and under the eye of security, he ran onto the roof and jumped! Since then, they have been extremely paranoid about BASE jumpers at the 101 Tower. There is enormous security. You can imagine how security reacted when we arrived there with backpacks on our backs, a Red Bull cap and an army of photographers and cameramen. They were not happy about it! On top of the tower there was a large sign: 'No Jumping'. That's why I started jumping for that together with Gilles (Dejong) for fun plaque!
Some people wonder how on earth you become a professional FMX player. It's like walking straight from the tattoo studio to the motorcycle shop to do some jumping! In my case, I was taught motocross from an early age. My dad was an enthusiastic amateur and so I caught the bug early on. I often went to watch races with my father, but oh cliché, despite my whining, I didn't get a motorcycle myself. Because my mother thought that was too dangerous. Finally I saw my chance when I got my solemn-communion-cents could spend at will. That had to be a motorcycle! Even if it was a piece of junk from the silent years, I couldn't wait any longer. This is how I took my first steps on a local meadow near Laarne (near Ghent) where I grew up. My first competition followed two years later, after which we also managed to convince my mother. As we got to know more people at the cross, she enjoyed it more and more. A recognizable story, surely? Then that probably also applies to the sequel.
I was bitten by the competition and wanted nothing more than to race and win. Not that I have lost a great champion. On the contrary! Now I realize that I should have taken much more time to learn to drive consciously. Fortunately, I did an internship with Harry Everts and in the Netherlands. When I won my first series at the Promises en Newbies With the MCLB I had little idea what my engine was doing. Especially compared to what I know now. It wasn't until Jimmy Verburgh (note: the founder of FMX4ever) gave me the opportunity to specialize in FMX that I really learned to ride! Thanks to KTM, I have been given the opportunity to participate in Extreme Enduros such as the Erzberg and I train much more motocross now than I used to as a student. The freedom I have to ride a lot has certainly made me a better rider. You can only really jump well if you get enough rhythm on the bike. You have to go all the way comfortable feel, at ease as we say in Flemish. And motocross is still the best training for FMX. In fact, I'm sure I drive much faster and better now than I used to! Freestyle is much more than just riding over a ramp. Every setup is different and often the conditions are not ideal. Sometimes we have to drive up from outside an arena or down stairs because there is not enough space. The feeling is different every time and the setting of your suspension is also extremely important.
I could go on and on about FMX adventures and interesting things, but unfortunately duty calls. Some unfinished design projects are still sparkling here on my Mac. I'll just go there a double saran wrap inverted combo lap giving up.
cheerio!
PS More about FMX4ever here
Photos credit: David Barker & Vincent Huang/Red Bull Photofiles, FMX4Ever
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