FMX INSIDER No.45: WITH ALEX BUCHOLTZ

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the FMX Insider, penned by Ben Heidrich.

Freestyle MX rider Alex Bucholtz has been putting in a solid effort on the bike lately. He’s been throwing down regularly with the Wagga Wagga crew and travelling interstate to ride SAFMX Championship rounds. I caught up with the NSW local to chat about the good vibes and plans for the rest of the year.

BH: How long have you been riding FMX ?
AB: I started jumping when I was about 5 years old on my parents farm but then I bought my first ramp at 14 years old. So you could say 10 Years on and off. Only really had a good crack at it this year, entering my first comp. I raced for about 3 years in Vic Titles and MX Nationals Amateur Cup. I learnt a lot from that and it has really shown in my riding this year.

What got you pumped on riding in the beginning… Why did you take up FMX?
I know it’s the same old story but I grew up with the really early Crusty Demons of dirt VHS’s for christmas. Then being so remote on a big farm, racing wasn’t really an option, so I made my one jump and rode it every day till the sun went down.

Who did you grow up riding with?
I grew up riding and still ride with Codie Rooney. We lived together for a bit and we always rode together. I remember learning tricks and setting up a digital camera on the cliff at my parents farm, going back and forth checking how our seat grabs compared to each other. We used to push each other pretty hard. I also used to ride a bit with Rhys Hillier when I lived over the hill from him as well as some of the RFDmx boys back in the day when they came to town.

What do you think the Aus FMX scene needs more of?
It needs more of exactly what Adam Grope is doing with the underground series, SAFMX that keeps growing and growing, Riding buddies, private land, entry fees and small sponsors towards prize money then youtube videos from the events. Things like FishFingered Jams have been giving us decent exposure aswell.

Have you been working on any new tricks?
I’ve got my grab tricks pretty sorted lately, I have been focusing on the other tricks like rulers and off the side tricks. The backflip is definitely on my mind.

Who do you look up to in FMX and who is your biggest mentor/inspiration?
I look up to the small town dudes that have given it their all against the big names, Like Truman Carroll , Tom Robinson and Jacko. Truman has mentored me a bit leading into my first comp and it really paid off in the end when I got the win.

I see your off with a bit of an injury. What happened?
Yeah, I got a little bit excited a couple of jumps into the warm ups over in Ponde, SA at the last SAFMX, a No-Handed Catwalk got away on me and I ended up landing off the side of the bike and breaking my right hand pretty bad. Got a plate and 7 screws in there now holding it together and I’m hoping to be back on the bike in the next week.

What’s riding about for you?
I really feed off positive vibes with your riding buddies. I also seem to do well when everyone else is struggling with the jumps or course, I feel like I can go out and prove that I can ride. Myself, I don’t want to be a world class superstar, I just want to see where I can go whilst giving it my 100%. I do a few local school presentations with some kids watching some videos I have made and showing them my bike and explaining safety gear while giving them a few stickers my sponsors have given to me to hand out, I had riders come to my school when I went so I feel like I can give some back. The kids love it and hopefully that can build the sport.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I’ve got a couple demos lined up both locally and down in Melbourne. Also the Yorkes FMX Comp over in South Aus in October as well as the Speed and Style even in Murray Bridge in December which I believe I should go alright at with a bit of racing and some solid tricks, and by then, hopefully the backflip!