Interview With Freestyle Motocross Hero William Van De Putte
Badchix: Hi William, thank you for having us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself ?
It’s my pleasure, I’m always happy to see you guys & girls back! So my name is William Van den Putte aka ‘Willis’. And I am an adrenaline junkie Aka Freestyle Motocross entertainer. I’m always searching for new tricks and stunts and in about a 12 years of FMX performance. I’ve reached some big goals but I’m still working on something new and big that’s gonna happen soon. I’m working on European’s first 75ft distance FMX Frontflip.
Badchix: Hows it going?
I’m feeling great. Still a little pain in my lower back because of too much training but besides that. I’m feeling really good!
Badchix: How did you get started riding motocross?
It all started back in 1995 when my Grandpa bought me a 80cc dirt bike. And only a half year later I was joining the Motocross federation and I was doing races. I had a career with riding dirt bikes for about 10 years of Motocross races. And in the last year 2005 I was even riding MX Grand prix. the MX3 Class. But that was my final race because It was in my nature to ride for entertaining. Jumping big gaps and try to make up a show. Like trying to do things nobody else thought was possible. And so I became a Freestyle Motocross stunt rider aka Entertainer.
Badchix: Do you ever get scared when you’re flying off a massive jump or getting huge air?
Yes sometimes when you feel in the beginning of the jump.. There is something wrong. It gives me the creeps. But if everything goes well and land it safe. It’s such an adrenaline rush and that just keeps you going!
Badchix: I’m actually kind of interested in becoming a freestyle motocross rider. Any advice?
Get a personal teacher with a lot of experience. And a good health insurance. It might save your life!
Badchix: What’s something exciting that you haven’t done yet that you hope to eventually do?
Land Europe’s first 75 ft / 22 Meters distance Frontflip!
Badchix: What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Traveling. Riding fmx in different countries, Meeting new people, Meeting people with the same passion!
Badchix: Where and who do you normally ride with?
Mostly at our FMX Park at AMC Genk Belgium with my buddy Mike Van Dijck or at wintertime I’m most of the time in Spain. At my Spanish buddy Raul Lerena.
Badchix: A question we ask all our guests, If you were homeless, what would your cardboard sign have written on it?
Will do any stunt for food!
Badchix: We are about to buy you a drink at the bar, what would you like?
Jack n Coke!
Badchix: Where do you want to go with your riding and what do you want to achieve?
I still want to progress a little bit but mostly I’m already happy to be a inspiration for the youth riders! And I hope soon I can be a good guide or teacher in this passionate but dangerous sport.
Badchix: Can you give us your thought of the day, and any advice to people out there chasing a dream, whether it be acting, modeling, sports or music?
Nothing in life is for free! You have to work hard. deal with pain, deal with failures. But always get back up, and be stronger than you were yesterday.. Everyday!
Badchix: we saw your stunt in Sportpaleis Antwerp, during the Nitro Circus tour, is it a dream come true?
Yes it was on my to do list! And I am very happy that I was a part of it. But the days before I was training on something I had planned to do on the show. But because of the short days and time it didn’t fit in the Nitro schedule. But that’s not a dream that failed It just give me more time to get this trick ready and land safe. So let’s just say God said It wasn’t the time yet. Up to new goals and dreams. But that frontflip will come soon!
Badchix: Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank in the first place. My Girlfriend Lavignia for all the trust and support. My parents, Family and close friends. The Motocross Track AMC Genk where I have my Freestyle MX park, and I can go for training whenever I need the training to get ready for some big events.
My Sponsers MX477, Scorpion Exo, Eks Brand, Bo Oil etc.. to give my the coolest clothing, Gears and helmets and needs for my bike and riding and Wlm design to make my bike look perfect with new plastics and decals.
Badchix: William thank you for your time! We wish you all the best and awesomeness in your career!
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Nitro Circus Live Tour
And history was written; For the first time there was a female volunteer who took part in a stunt. On the sporting side were delivered performance; William “Willis Van den Putte showed once again why he is the best Belgian FMX rider of the moment. BMX athlete James Foster ended the evening after egg so depressed when he crashed to the ground after yet perfect triple front flip.
It is amazing how driven and passionate Travis Pastrana is busy with his profession. The Godfather and co-founder of the greatest live action sports event in the world, still enjoys every moment of the traveling circus. “This is much more than a bunch of friends who give some show on a motorcycle and BMX. These are athletes who challenge each other night after night to deliver stiffer performance. Antwerp is the last show of the European tour and see that everyone is now fully run. Therefore, happen extraordinary things, “says MC’er and Janez Dedt. frontman Nikolas Van der Veken.
Before the show really takes off, Nitro Circus Live pays homage to their deceased friend and live action sports hero Eric Roner. A few months ago he was killed and a gripping movie are once again displayed his exceptional performance. “This tour is all about Eric. We are all excited by his loss. With a movie we want to thank him for what he has done for us,” Travis Pastrana said on stage, after which cheers resounded.
In any case, given the Antwerp public yesterday evening more than value for money. The show began with a few laps and stunts of the master himself. “Who says Nitro says Travis Pastrana. More than ever, this is a whole and that is why he now drives around during the shows in our outfits and no longer advertises a sports energy drink, “it sounds in the Nitro Circus entourage.
History
No Nitro Gigant-A-Ramp this time, but one by jet engines powered pendulum, which causes BMX riders and other rolling athletes can do their thing on the show. For one lady suddenly became very excited when she gave up as a volunteer for a stunt. “It is almost always the men who are applying. For us it was a shock, but it is the first time and during this European tour before so I know how far in the history of Nitro Circus, we had a woman in the audience who took part in a stunt “, he says in the organization.
William “Willis Van den Putte
Disbelief and amazement there was rolstoelathleet Bruce Cook. For years, Bruce performed stunts as FMX rider, but a major accident, the engine made sure he was paralyzed. Despite this handicap, and with the support of the Nitro Circus family, Bruce fought back. Today he is the only athlete cripple the world that manages to perform front flips on a motorbike.
Much attention and applause was there last night for our best Belgian FMX rider William “Willis Van den Putte. A few months ago he was invited with his girlfriend. “I still can not believe it. This is truly a unique training experience and the ultimate reward for years of hard. I am pleased with the attention that finally gets the freestyle motocross in Belgium. It is an honor that our country Nitro Circus also a show and give that a Belgian can ride. I really walking on a cloud. “
This live action sports shows are not without danger, a few weeks ago was once again evident. During a Nitro Circus show in Glasgow went seriously wrong when an engine fell into the crowd and three people managed to injure. Luckily it was during the last show in Antwerp okay, except for BMX’er James Foster. “I had a bad landing. My triple backflip went well, but then it went wrong and I smacked pretty hard against the ground. The damage is not too bad. It will remain with a few bruises. I was lucky.”
After 15 performances the European Nitro Circus Live tour will end at the Gelredome in Arnhem. “When Nitro comes back to Europe, is not currently known. The focus is on them now on the first Nitro World Games, they organize this summer itself. We have in any case argued that if there comes a new tour, she Belgium as a motorsports country would not forget, “said Kurt Frederickx of upstars, together with Cathy Wilder (Marketing Manager – Focus Projects) was responsible for the communication of the show.
