Startalk

Okay Oli, let's start with some basics. Tell my something about
your place of birth and your current residence?
I was born on 20.10.1969 in Stuttgart/Germany. My residence is Kornwestheim, in the great south.

First time you ever rode a BMX bike and when did you start racing?
First ever I rode a BMX bike was in 1978. This was my first bike and dude I tell you what, this was an awesome metalflake blue hot BMX bike. I started racing in 1981.


A proud father - Oli with one of his two sons.


Who did inspire you to do BMX?
Once in 1978 I saw a movie called “pepe wants to win”. It was a story about a boy who lived in California and one day he saw some kids racing on awesome looking bikes. He asked his dad for a bike … but now way - then his dad decide to build him one … then he raced his first BMX race and won it … this was the movie who inspired me.

How important is BMX for you in your life?
Ohhh boy. Very important. But I have to thank god first, to let me do this cool sport.


Oli doing a nice Nac Nac on the BMX Track in Ingersheim.


Tell me something about the actual BMX scene in Germany ... how many proriders and how many hobby-riders are there?
Right now there are only a bunch of, let me say amateurs. Pros do not exist in the race scene right now in Germany. The superclass has about 40 riders nationwide and about 200-300 expert riders. Beginners I think … hmmmm about 100 riders nationwide. So the race scene here is not that big.

Has Germany a kind BMX Federation or something like that?
Yes the federation called BDR (Bund Deutscher Radfahrer) . the sport is not organized like in the us . in the us the NBL or ABA are private organizations.

What would you change to give the BMX sport in Germany a better perspective?
Hmmm ... let me think for a moment. I would do it like the American way of BMX. In the USA they ask the riders what to do and what's best for the sport. Check all the big media interest in BMX in USA. Here in Germany it’s very hard to get this media interest .
I would set up some Racing or Freestyle schools, were Pros can teach the mid level riders how to do BMX. I would built more cool riding spots, more tracks, more skateparks etc. The list goes on and on on …



Turndown on left and an awesome oldschool style on right!

Is there a combination between the lifestyle of other extremsports and BMX?
Check all the dudes who do some awesome sports ... in every extreme sport you can express yourself and its all about fun! that’s what it counts.

Is it important for you to ride with your buddies and is there a good cohesion between the German riders?
Yeahh definitely. Go out on a hot summer day to ride with your buddies … what better can happen.

X-Up over the stepjump

What would do you when BMX not exists?
Maybe go to california For opening a taco bell! Ooohhh, I like that burittos!

Which value have Contests/Races for you?
I like it, it’s a great atmosphere there. But the value is not that high. Hangin' around with your buddies on your favorite spot is much more fun.

Oli went big during the shooting in Ingersheim - 9 meter stepjump!


What do you like more Racing oder Trail-Lines / Funriding?
I like both! I like to go to a cool BMX track with big jumps. But I also like to go trail riding or riding in a skatepark ... it depends on my mood.

What are your goals for the future?
To teach my son how to ride BMX and having fun.

Did you ever had a bad crash and did you break something?
Nothing really bad … thanx god!

Have you ever thought about the life after BMX?
Hey, what's that question. I would like to ride the whole life and I thank god for let me doing this.


Turndown on the left and Nac Nac on the right

Favorite location to ride?
Uuh, theres a lot, I like orang YMCA BMX track in California, the Kornwestheim trails and the scharnhausen skatepark.

Does music push you to go bigger? What kind of music do you prefer?
Chezzzzz, sure ... yeah pumps up the volume. I like those little band from texas. The ZZ top! the rock and roll like a Lincoln continental.

What is more important for you - the sport or the industry?
It’s a combination of both.


X-up over the 8 Meter doublejump!

You and your friends have founded a shop called oldschool bmx. Tell me something about this project.
Yeah, check us out under www.oldschoolbmx.de you will find infos there

What do think about the current situation of the global and the German BMX scene?
The global BMX scene is great. Check USA or France. They will hype the sport as good as they can. The German Freestyle scene is awesome right now. Very good organizations and riders. The german race scene begins to pop up faster ... let us see what happens in the future.


Nac Nac like Jeremy McGrath ;-)

Any other comments or do you want to say something to your fellows, sponsors & fans?
First of all I thank god and my family!

Last words … please give the kids some basic tips, how they could start with BMX easily, if they want to?
Hey kids. Beware of this sport ... once you have been infected … BMX will not let you go. Do not wonder ... I told you that .

The biggest tip I can give you … have fun with this sport, because that’s all about!