If you hit Friday and Saturday’s International Freestyle Motocross shows at the Allstate Arena, you’ll find riders performing aerial gymnastics three stories high before landing (hopefully) in a cloud of exhaust. Beau Bamberg, a 26-year old Oregonian and veteran of five X Games, stayed grounded long enough to talk about doing things on motorcycles that people are just not supposed to do.
How did you get into the sport?
I started riding at age 5 and basically just liked showing off. I’d be taking my feet off the bike during jumps.
What is your signature trick?
The classic whip, where you get the bike as sideways and upside-down as possible then throw it back.
What is the Holy Grail trick in motocross?
Things people thought were impossible even two years ago are commonplace. Right now there are one or two guys doing the 360–a complete rotation in the air. That’s the next step in this sport.
Ever get scared?
I get nervous right before my first flip of the day, even though I’ve done it a thousand times.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever jumped?
In Italy we were jumping a ramp propped up on milk crates. The thing was rocking.
How do you pull off a trick the first time?
You start out small, taking baby steps until you get to a point where you want to be. Unless it’s a flip trick, then you just have to go for it with 100 percent commitment. Some guys learn flips in foam pits, but I learned on dirt with a couple of crashes.
Let’s talk injuries.
I haven’t had too many. Just some broken ribs, a broken collarbone, broken fingers and thumbs. I’ve broken my hands, my fibula and tibia in my right leg. I came up short on one jump and broke my back. Another time I overjumped and hit my face on the crossbar and tore my nose off. Nothing too serious, though.
How do you get health insurance?
You lie.
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Edited by the sports staff of RedEye.
