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Jamie Bestwick: The Interview
Jamie Bestwick is the big dog in BMX vert. Find out what keeps him on top.
By Jared Souney
Jamie Bestwick has won every major modern day BMX vert riding event and title there is. Winning on a consistent basis, in a competitive field requires a lot more dedication and skill than the average person can muster, yet there seems to be no stopping him. Contest after contest for years he's been basically flawless, so what goes through his head?
After winning every major contest there is, do you still put pressure on yourself to be on top?
I think anybody who is a competitor, or anybody who is paid to ride a bike wants to do the best they can, and I guess the best that you can do is to be number one. It's great to be a contender, but everyone wants to be on top.
Since you just bought a house back in the UK in addition to the house in the States, how much time do you plan to spend here vs. there?
I want my family to see my son a lot more. This year my wife is going to be in England a lot more. I'm going to have quite a few contests back in England this year. It gives me a place where I can stay when I'm back there. The town where I purchased the house is the town where I grew up in, and all my old school friends are still there. It's very much a place where I'd like to live out the rest of my life.
You had some big changes recently as far as sponsorships. Now that you're not with GT Bikes, how will that affect what you do this year with the events?
I don't think it will affect me one bit. Not riding for a big bike company any more, in itself has unloaded a whole weight off my back. I felt for years that I was almost depended upon to bring in results. Fair play to a lot of the guys on the team, but in some respects I was the go-to person if they wanted results. Not having that responsibility this year takes a lot of pressure off me when I go to contests and in that respect I can pretty much be the rider I've always wanted to be. I've often had a lot of admiration for the guys who don't have to wear the jerseys. Although it's a great way to make money, at the end of the day, BMX is an individual sport, and I've always been quite envious of the people that are able to represent their individuality. This year I think I'm going to get to do that. I will not be donning the billboard anymore.
You've got less responsibility there, but now with a child you have another responsibility. Has that changed things in your riding plans?
Not at all. Having the added responsibility of a kid goes hand in hand when you make the jump to parenthood, but my bike riding is aside from my family life. When I go to ride whether it be at Camp Woodward or at contests, I have to shut myself off and just enjoy it.
Do you think when your son grows up there will be another bike rider in the family?
I'm not that bothered about him riding a bike to be honest. If he wants to ride a bike, I'll let him ride, but I won't be some pushy dad making him learn at an early age. I'll just let him figure his own life out, and whatever he wants to do I'll support him.
When you go back to England, where do you ride?
I ride at Epic Skatepark in Birmingham. They've got a good vert ramp. I ride with my friend Jay Allen, and there's a bit of a Team Mutiny scene in Derby. All the local guys are hooked up with that company. I get to ride with kids like Matt Roe and Nicky Croft...they're real rippers. It's nice to go back and ride with local kids.
Do you have any goals for this year?
Just to enjoy riding, and hopefully come up with some new stuff that advances vert riding... I guess just to play it safe, that's all I can ask for.
»»Read Simon Tabron's Interview
»»Find out all the details on the Birmingham World Tour Event
