Along with its rich and interesting history, The Czech Republic is pretty famous for quality beer and stag/hen do’s. It should also, in my opinion, be famous for producing some exceptional FMX riders. It’s a pretty small country with around 10 million residents. One of those resident’s is Radek Bilek, a super- talented rider from the Czech Republic, holding it down as a team rider for FMX4Ever and keeping it real on a 2 banger. We caught up with Radek to get to know a little more about him.
Name?
Radek Bilek
Age?
27
From?
Czech republic
Bike?
KTM 250SX
Words by Tom Burns
Photography by Adam Simpson & EB Photo
So Radek, how did you get into riding FMX?
Up until I was around 16 years old I was just chilling in skate parks, riding skateboards and BMX bikes with my friends. When I was 17 I got my first dirtbike, it was a Chinese pit bike that I just got for fun. Then I randomly meet Libor Podmol and the other FMX guys from Czech. So not long after that I tried to start riding FMX on pit bikes with my mate Tomáš Bárta. After I had spent some time riding 50’s and learning some tricks I got the chance to ride pit bikes in events like Night Of The Jumps & Master Of Dirt (MOD) in 2009/2010. It was there that the guys started pushing me to try jumping on the big bikes, and the rest is history.
Is the Czech Republic good for riding FMX?
Yeah, I think we have some good riders over here, so it’s always fun and good to ride with the local crews. We are also lucky enough to have some cool places to ride as well, like the Podmol bros park, where there is a double line and some technical jumps as well the standard FMX ramps. Although in winter time is always just covered in snow which sucks. I hate the cold!
How did you get to ride with FMX4Ever?
In my first year of riding a full size bike, Martin Kořen, who is a manager and rider for the FMX4Ever team, invited me to Prague to ride at a really cool event there. That was where I meet whole team and after that I got the chance to start riding and traveling with team as a full member. It’s been amazing.
Was 2017 a good year for you?
Not really bad. Can always be worse, can always be better…
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not riding?
Having fun with my friends , walking my dog and playing on my PlayStation.
Do you have a place of your own to ride/practise?
Yeah I have a little spot in a small stone quarry. It just has one landing but is still cool.
How do you prepare for a show?
Like a most of us: Stretching,chilling and trying to focus on the riding :))
What trick do you like to do the most?
I like to do a lot of of grab tricks, they are usually the ones I enjoy the most. But my favorite trick has to be a Tsunami!
What would you change about FMX comps?
I don’t know, I don’t ride FMX comps :)) But i think X Games and the Nitro World Games are both good formats for freestyle motocross competitions.
What are your plans for 2018?
Stay having fun, riding with my friends and hopefully I’ll learn some new tricks :))
Would you like to thank anyone?
Yeah, thanks a lot to my family!! All my friends!! Everyone who supports me and is around me!! And to all my sponsors as well: FMX4Ever, Kiniredbull, Neff head wear CZ.
Thanks Radek
Thanks guys.
