HE DOMINATED FARM JAM, WON DOUBLE GOLD AT X GAMES BRAZIL, BACKED IT UP WITH A WIN IN DIRT AT DEW TOUR, SAN FRANCISCO, AND IN-BETWEEN BECAME A FATHER WITH THE BIRTH OF HIS FIRST SON LUCAS. 2013 WAS A HUGE YEAR FOR KYLE BALDOCK, HE EXPERIENCED SO MANY HIGHS, BUT ALSO TASTED THE DARK SIDE OF THE SPORT WITH A FREAK ACCIDENT THAT TOOK HIM BY SURPRISE. KYLE TALKS TO US ABOUT THE YEAR THAT WAS.
Kyle we’re at the start of 2014, looking back on last year how was it for you: As good as it can get really, best year I’ve ever had. Winning Park and Dirt at X Games Brazil was massive, and then taking out Dew Tour San Fran with my three-month-old-boy Lucas witnessing his first event was special. I think that event meant more than anything because both Lucas and my girl Honey were there to celebrate it with me. I missed a few events because of the birth of Lucas, my first child, as it was important to me I was around to support Honey and witness the birth and those first few weeks.
Lucas experienced his first BMX event at Dew Tour San Francisco, and Dad won it for him! Photo: Fat Tony
What about the accident at Camp Woodward: Yeah exactly five days after Dew Tour while riding at Woodward I broke both cheek bones, plus five fractures in my nose, had 14 bloodspots on the brain, and broke my top front teeth. All for nothing really. Like it was just a roll in where I jumped this hip, then cased and missed a steep transition and landed straight on my face. I was out for 17-minutes and they thought I had brain damage, but thankfully I tested out OK.
Do you remember what happened clearly: I don’t remember anything about the day except for telling my friends they’re pussies for going to eat. Honey was sitting on the deck with bub, and she laughed when I cased but didn’t realise I went over the bars. When she got up to take a look she saw me on the ground with blood coming out of my ears and rushed me to hospital.
Kyle became one of only two BMX riders to win double gold at X Games Brazil. Photo: Nick Pescetto
How long was it before you got back on the bike: After the accident I slept 22 hours a day. I don’t really remember the five days afterwards. I couldn’t eat, drink, and found it hard to see. Two weeks after landing back in Oz I went for a ride to roll around and jumped a box and my teeth hit together, which caused chronic headaches behind my left eye. I went and had another CT Scan and it was clear. I just shouldn’t have ridden so early. I then rested for another two weeks and once back on the bike it was like everything was new again, it took me a while to feel good on the bike again.
What have you learned from this accident: Wear a mouth guard kids! It was my teeth hitting together so hard that did most of the damage because there’s so many nerves in the mouth connected to the brain, so now I’ll always wear one when riding.
Kyle with his Brazilian fans. Photo: Nick Pescetto
Looking forward, 2014 X Games has been trimmed back, not sure what’s happening with Dew Tour, how do you feel about the state of the sport: During the three years I’ve been involved in the major comps like X Games and Dew Tour the events have dwindled down from several stops to one for BMX heading into 2014. Imagine what’s going to be around in five to ten years? My main focus is to innovate the sport in my time to leave a legacy for future generations of BMX riders in Australia. I’m working towards forming a contest series here. Nothing locked in as yet, but it’s my goal to bring my pro friends from overseas here to ride in a contest that also supports the amateur riders trying to make a name for themselves. There’s so much potential here that nobody knows about because all the big events are overseas and they can’t afford to get there. I’d like to be able to support the top placed local rider from these events with a ticket to an overseas comp to help give them the exposure they need to attract more support. Well that’s a part of the master plan, to create a pathway!
Farm Jam magic!
What about competing in 2014, what are your goals: I plan on going to Dew tour and X Games, really want to do well in those big events again. I’ll also ride some of the smaller events like Simple Session and Red Bull Dreamline if it works out. I’m also hoping to film a lot more this year; I have a few cool ideas in mind I’d like to get out there. On the home front I plan on building up Vale BMX, the bike shop I’m part owner of, and also help BMX in Oz with more events and just have fun riding my bike.
Source: http://www.unit.com/united-states/blog/2014/1/8/kyle-baldock--riding-the-highs-and-lows/
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