Jakub Klement: Return to racing rhythm

What does it mean for you to return to BMX after almost a year's break due to injury?

I've never dealt with an injury this big, so I honestly don't really know what to expect. I'm looking forward to the bike, but at the same time I'm nervous about how I'll get back in shape. I will try to be patient and get back to the top one step at a time. At the same time, I think I didn't show my maximum potential and I would like to do more.

What moments during your recovery kept you most motivated to return to racing?

I didn't realize it that much at first, but as time went on I started to realize how much I miss racing and without racing I feel like a nobody at home on the couch. Those were difficult times and they still are.

What was it like to watch MČR in Opava only from the stands, especially if you are a local native?

It was a strange feeling, but I wondered how I managed it. In Opava, I showed up at the races after a long time and a lot of people made me happy. Some came for autographs, photos and some just to chat. These little things made the races a lot more enjoyable for me.

How did the starting number 125 grow to your heart and what does it mean to you?

I chose the number a long time ago and was inspired by a motocross racer. It was supposed to be number 25, but that was already taken, so I added a 1 there. This number has no special meaning to me. If there was an opportunity to change the number, I would not be afraid of this change and I would definitely use it. In any case, I'm happy to see a sticker with my number on both small and older children.

You create videos and content from the bicross environment. What do you enjoy most about it and what drives you to do it?

There are many reasons for this. One of the reasons is terribly primitive, but I just want my Instagram to look good on the eye. I started YouTube to keep some memories somewhere. Lately, I've been thinking about how to build a personal brand here at bikros. YouTube could help me a lot with this, so I'm thinking about how to improve it at least a little bit. The biggest reason I do this is the fans. YouTube has helped me build a bit of a base and I feel like I have fans on my side. I post on Instagram from races, whether they go well or not, because I want people to have some insight into my performances. Furthermore, I take it as a promo for some sponsors, to whom I thank you very much.

How does sharing BMX content help you build fan support?

I think really a lot. Last year I was really surprised by how much support I got from the fans, whether they were little racers or adults. The idea was to start with something that no one in our country was doing much, and I think it was successful. Thanks a lot everyone.

When you compare fitness and riding/technical preparation, which do you think has the biggest impact on your riding?

Riding preparation has a little more impact on my riding, because the time spent on the bike cannot be replaced and I know that I have some gaps there. At the same time, I am not one of the strongest at the start, but fortunately I have a good coach who always cooks something that works.

How big a role does mental toughness play in BMX and how do you work with it in training and racing?

Overall, the head plays a huge role for me. When everything is as it should be, I am able to give more than 100% of myself in the race. When I'm worried, I show a maximum of 50% of my potential on the track. I have a season where I can show you my bottom at times and a season where everything went as it should. When I go back to the younger junior season, I can't even remember which race I'm happy about. Maybe at the MBL in Jeseník. For some reason I really enjoyed the race. I struggled all year and had absolutely no confidence in myself. It showed at the starts, in my driving, just everywhere. It got to the stage where I didn't even want to stand at the start and wanted to turn around and wrap it up. My motivation was the World Cup in the USA. The beginning of last season didn't start the best, but I managed to break it at the last minute and everything turned around after the European Cup in Venice. I gave maximum performances and I am proud of this season. Well, how do I work with it? I've already experienced that everything takes time and patience. It was necessary to bite and not give up. Sometimes I have a problem that I can't give my maximum performance in training and at that moment I need to stay calm and think that I can give that performance in the race. However, it is often not easy.

Who is the person you take the most inspiration from?

It is definitely my coach Matěj Chalupný. If this person hadn't come, I wouldn't be here a long time ago. I am also inspired by a lot of motocross racers. I don't just look for success, but I try to be inspired, for example, by how someone appears in public, or what their story is.

What do you think Czech bicross lacks in order to approach the level you see abroad?

When I think about what would help me, it would be spending time on the big tracks. It would be best to train with the boys on those tracks together more often.

What are your plans for winter training and what do you think will decide how you enter the new season?

My plan now is to start training slowly and get back to normal over the winter. It would be a shame to rush anything unnecessarily. What will decide the most is how quickly I will catch up with what I have lost in that long time.

What goals are you focusing on in the near future and what is the biggest challenge for you at the moment?

The biggest challenge for me is to survive this long period and get my right leg back to its original condition and finally start racing a bike and sit on a motorbike here and there.

Do you have something you would like to tell the readers?

I'm not going anywhere yet! After reading it, I would appreciate it if you could give me some feedback on Instagram in the messages, how you liked this.