Pastrana: “Six training sessions for the Super Session”

Travis Pastrana isn’t a legend that you read about in the history books – Travis Pastrana is here and now! The fearless American is set to celebrate his FMX comeback at the Red Bull X-Fighters Series 2008 Super Session in Warsaw after a year out of the sport. In an interview the 24-year-old speaks about what motivated him to return to the sport, Mat Rebeaud and the future of FMX.

Travis, after a year out of the sport you are getting ready to make your comeback. What motivated you to return to freestyle motocross? Actually it was never something I had really planned to do. But then I met my friend Ronnie Renner and he told me about the idea of holding a Super Session at the Red Bull X-Fighters season finale. We chatted for a while and Ronny ended up asking me if I would be in his team. He is my best friend so I couldn’t really say no.

How often have you been on a dirt bike in the last twelve months? It’s probably best if we don’t talk about that! Actually, I wanted to train properly for the event, but then a few things got in the way. All in all I have managed to get in six training days. But, then again, I’m not a beginner.

Do you think that the other riders have a head-start? Definitely. The guys are riding insane and the level is just mind-blowing. I’m here to have fun and that is what I have to concentrate on. Travis, after a year out of the sport you are getting ready to make your comeback. What motivated you to return to freestyle motocross? Actually it was never something I had really planned to do. But then I met my friend Ronnie Renner and he told me about the idea of holding a Super Session at the Red Bull X-Fighters season finale. We chatted for a while and Ronny ended up asking me if I would be in his team. He is my best friend so I couldn’t really say no.

I’ve heard that your setup is also less than perfect…
My luggage still hasn’t arrived in Warsaw. That means I have been forced to borrow suspension forks and other pieces of kit from the other riders. That makes the whole thing even more difficult. Basically, every rider has his own components that are fine-tuned to his riding and style and the tricks he pulls.

Have you followed Mat Rebeaud’s success this season?
Rebeaud is the clear overall winner of the 2008 Series and deserves it. He really is on fire at the moment and pretty much unbeatable. Mat is a very emotional guy and he uses that in his riding. At the moment he is surfing on a wave of success.



Do you think we will be seeing new, even more spectacular tricks in the near future? 2006 was the biggest year for progression and marked the beginning of a new era in FMX thanks to the new tricks developed by the riders during that period. I think it is likely to continue that way. It takes a minimum of six months to get a new trick truly dialled in. I’m sure that new jumps will be developed over the winter break.



OK, hand on heart, how often have you crashed in your career?
Oh my God! I couldn’t even count! I think the only thing you can possibly say is that I took a slam pretty much every day. That’s part of the sport ;-)