fulltime in 2010, Willers’ career took off, peaking in 2011 with the ABA National Number Pro title, a bronze at the World Championships, two World Cup wins, a nearly unbroken string of ABA podium spots going back to 2010 and winning the NORA Cup. That also was the year he signed with BOX Components. 
“Marc impressed me from the first time I met him. He walked into our booth at Interbike with confidence and swagger. I knew he was the guy who could beat Maris. And when we decided to hire someone for Speed, Marc was our guy,” said Toby Henderson, CGI’s founder.
Following a solid 2012 when he narrowly lost the USA BMX National Number Pro tile to Sam Willoughby at the Grands, an off-season back injury delayed the start of his 2013 season. He only
managed a couple of USA BMX podium spots that year, but salvaged the season with a silver medal in front of his home country at the World Championships in Auckland. That was the last time he stood on the podium. 
“Marc’s decision doesn’t come as a surprise, but that doesn’t make it any less of a bummer. We’ve known how disappointed and frustrated he’s been. But we’ve seen glimmers of his former self and hoped things would turn around,” said Michael Gamstetter, CGI’s marketing manager and senior brand manager, adding, “It’s been an honor to have worked with him the past four-plus years. I’m very fortunate to have been a witness to his successes and disappointments and to have played a small role in his career.”
Although he hasn’t written off a vet-pro comeback or a future in coaching, Willers’ immediate career plans will come as no surprise to his social media followers. “I want to try and finish some cars and start flipping them. I want to be the next Chip Foose kinda thing,” he said.
Building custom cars in not new to Willers, who worked as a professional auto painter from 17-20. Willers competed in 31 UCI World Cup races (Angelholm will be his 32nd), two Olympic Games, 15 World Championships and won 18 ABA/USA BMX Nationals. His last race will be the USA BMX Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Pics by Craig Dutton
This weekend’s UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Angelholm will be Marc Willer’s last international race as he winds down his 12-year pro career and retires at the end of 2015. Willers laid out the reason for ending his career in his usual frank manner: “It sucks losing. And that’s been happening for so long that racing isn’t fun any more. The last thing I want is to start hating the sport I love.”
After leaving New Zealand to live and race in the United States
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.