Name: Denzel Stein (The
People's Champ)
Age: 17
Class: A Pro
Sponsors: Factory Redline,
Fly Helmets, S&M, Shimano, Tioga, GO211.com, Tangent
Location: Desoto, Texas
What got you into racing? I
saw Mario Soto races on TV. I didn't know who he was at the
time. I told my dad that I wanted to start racing and it
went from there.
How long have you been racing?
I have been racing since the middle of 2000
What's life like outside of riding?
Well my life is pretty much racing, training, and
school. I would like to do more but that takes up most of my
time. Sometimes I go to parties or hangout with friends, but
I try to stay focused on my goals in life.
Have your parents been
supportive in your pursuit of racing BMX? Yeah my
parents and my grandparents have been behind me with full
support. They try to make it to as many races as they can
and to just be there when I need them. When I first started
they got me to some nationals and I just want to thank them
so much for being the great parents and grandparents that
they are.
What is it that you have done in the
last few years that allows you to set yourself apart from
the rest of the pack? Any
secrets you want to give away? Just trained my head
off and stayed focused on my goals. It has taken me this far
so it must be working.
Alright, how about some favorites?
Favorite Food: I love Steak.
But I like all types of food.
Favorite Track: I really
haven't been to a track that was my favorite, but I like
tracks that have flow and that are fast with big jumps.
Something that can push my limits.
Favorite Sanction (NBL, ABA, UCI)?
Why? Well my local track is Metroplex Bmx in Desoto,
TX and it's ABA. I like ABA but I have been racing ABA my
whole racing career. So now that I am going to different
association's I like them all. I just wish ABA would make
better flowing tracks, change the lay out and try something
new. I like UCI/NBL because of the rules and some of their
tracks are different. The random start is great. I think it
gives every rider a chance at winning. We all know that if
you don't come out of the gate good then it could go down
hill, but with the random gate it kind of levels
everything out.
Favorite National? The Vegas
ABA race.
Hobby? Riding motorcycles,
fixing cars or bikes, and riding trails with friends.
Favorite thing about BMX?
Meeting some of the greatest people and racing some of the
best. And also the fans who support me.
Alright Denzel, after an incredibly
successful last year of amateur, you have made the move to
the pro ranks. Tell us how last season went? Well
last season went very well. I went to as many races as
possible. I took a lot of 1sts some 2nds - nothing wrong
with that. Got as many points as I could and just waited for
the Grands to come.
ABA Grands you managed to grab the
win at the Nag 5 Challenge. How did it feel to come out on
top, racing against the best of the best that the country
has to offer? Any tough moments that night? Well it
felt great winning that race. I raced the best guys. I felt
strong and I wanted to win. So I just raced my hardest and I
came out on top.
First round I got on the gate and somebody had went down
in the moto before us, so we sat there waiting. I took my
goggles off so the wouldn't fog up. So they finally got the
person off the track and we were getting ready. I put my
goggles on and I clipped in. And just as we were getting
ready to go my goggles fogged up and I couldn't see so I was
the last person out of the gate. But, I managed to pull back
up to 2nd.
You went into ABA Grands with the
possibility of taking the number 1 ABA Amateur title. What
went down and how did it feel to miss out on that
Well when I got there I already knew that its wasn't in my
hands yet. So I just did my part and hoping for the rest to
play out. But watching it slip away wasn't go but I did my
best and that's all that counts.
After a quick break you showed up
at Christmas and flat out dominated the UCI races for Junior
Men. Is this your first year of eligibility for Junior Men?
Well I went there to see how I would do on the random
gate and some other stuff. I felt good and strong that
weekend. It took me awhile to get the gate down, but that
was my first race in the Junior Men class and it was great.
Racing for money and for the fans - you cant beat it.
What are your plans for that class
over the next two years in terms of the UCI deal? Two
Wins in Junior Men - back to back!
Planning on making the trip to worlds
this summer? Yeah I can't wait to get there. Going for
the Junior Men title is going to be great.
Much has been said about you making the
move to pro. Was it part of your and your sponsors plans, or
were they hoping you would take another stab at ABA #1 Amateur?
Well Redline wanted me to give it another go, but I felt
like if I would have held back one more year as an amateur then
that's one year wasted that I could have been in the pro class
getting experience. I mean I would love to have a amateur title
under my belt but that's something that you cant control.
What was the thought process that
played out when you were deciding to move up? What was the
final thing that pushed you to turn pro this year Well, I
have been up for the Am title two times back-to-back. I told
myself if I get the Am title there is nothing left for me to do
in the Am ranks. But having the title slip away didn't feel too
go. I had been asking a good number of people what they thought
about me turning pro and if it was a good move or not. I got
back a lot of positive responses, so I asked Redline if I could
and he gave me the go head and I showed him in Reno it was a
good move and that I really wanted it.
After a great weekend in Reno, you will
probably find your way into the AA ranks very soon. Are you
planning on playing out Single-A and then making the move, or do
you see yourself making the jump on your own? Well Reno
was a very good weekend for me. Racing Pro is much better than
racing amateur. But, I am going to let thinks play out and
just take up the experience before my time is up in A Pro.
Redline has supported you and of course
Bubba Harris for some time now. Do you see yourself as being
with Redline for the long haul? Yeah they have taken very
good care of me. The whole team is great. I see myself with
Redline for years to come.
What's it like having a
teammate who is as accomplished as Bubba? Does it put extra
pressure on you to make things happen in the pro ranks?
Man it's great having Bubba as my teammate. He likes the fact
that He will have another great AA teammate. I don't feel
pressure but I know I have to do my best to be one of the
great ones.
So in preparation for making
the jump to pro, I am sure you took your training up a notch.
Do you have a trainer that works with you? Well yeah I
have to step it up even more if I want to run with the best. My
trainer is Greg Romero. He has been coaching me for almost two
years now. The training has been great and it pays off. You have
to train to be the best.
What does your day to day
workout schedule look like? What are you doing to get faster?
Well I can't give out the goods, but Greg Remero changes
up my program every day. So, it keeps me on my toes.
What was the biggest surprise in making
the jump from Amateur to Pro Getting on the gate with 7
other hard guys instead of just 2 or 3 in amateur.
If in fact the jump from A to
AA happens quickly, what will your goals be for the season?
Top 3 Nationally, Top 5, what are you
thinking? Well I'm thinking I can take top 3 but its
going to be a hard task. With most of the Elite Men going for
the Olympics, it gives me a shot to take a run at the AA title.
In making the jump to AA, you
will have plenty of groms looking up to you. Any advice you
would like to throw out to the little guys and girls who are
trying to get better on the track? Just stay focused and
work hard at it if you really want it. It will come over
time. Just don't give up on your goals.
Denzel, it's been a pleasure. Thank you
for the opportunity to do the interview. Is there anyone you
would like to thank? Well first off I would like to thank
God himself. Next I want to thank the parents and the
grandparents for getting me places and backing me up on
everything I do. I want to thank Greg Remero for the training
and for him being a great coach. I want to thank Gork my team
manger. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been on such a
great team. My great teammates. My on the road dad Jason Carnes
for always looking after me. And to all the fans and the close
friends who support me. Thanks.
