BMX Race news update from Martijn Jaspers MJ92

Jul 16, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

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The weeks after Berlin, I had to recover from the crashes I made, luckily I healed up quickly and was back in full swing in no time. We had some solid weeks of training and testing, leading to the championships weeks. 2 weeks after Berlin, we rode stop 2 of the 3 Nations Cup. I qualified easy for the final, messed up my start a bit in the final and was battling for the last podium spot. I went for it in a wet turn 2 and crashed unlucky, so got 8th Then the Championship weeks came, starting with Dutch Champs at the beginning of July. On Saturday I had a good Timetrial lap and ended up 2nd behind Jelle van Gorkom.

On Sunday I felt great, made it to the final and had a good start there. I had a little elbow advantage down the hill, until I got unclipped halfway the starthill. I was really devastated, because this could have end much better than this 7th place. During the next week my renewed personal website martijnjaspers.com got launched with a cool contest. Showing a good form and 1st straight it was easy to keep the head up high towards Euro Champs in Roskilde, Denmark. On Friday we rode round 11 of the EU League and on Sunday the European Champs for the title. I had some heavy groups Friday, rode better lap by lap and fought my way in to the final. I had a good outside gate in the final and was in position 3-4 entering turn 1, until someone rode against my front wheel and washed me out. So a crash and place 8 for me.

On Sunday I finally turned things around. A long day, with again a rain delay, awarded me with a podium. Because of the wet track it took me some time to get into rhythm. I rode better every lap and worked my way into the final. I had a great gate in final, going into turn 1 second place, got passed on the inside, but managed to take the podium spot in 3rd behind Maris Strombergs and Romain Mayet. Really happy with my first European medal and the confidence boost towards World Champs in 2 weeks in my home country, can’t wait!

MJ92