Vickie Golden Wins Back-to-Back Motocross Gold at 2012 X Games 18
- Jul 26, 2012
In the main event the K&N sponsored rider refused to be denied as she willed her Poynt/RWR Racing Kawasaki into the hole-shot, then lead from starting-gate to checkered flag, the same as she did last year. Golden and her riding coach Sean Hamblin, her trainer Tyler Kalisiak, mechanic Andrew Bauer, and pressure training partner Ronnie Faiss, laid out a plan of attack and Golden executed it to perfection. Age may only be a number, yet wisdom and maturity can strike at any time, if only you pay attention and are willing to pay the dues as Golden sees it.
Winning gold is becoming a part of your birthday celebration, how's it feel backing last year's win by getting it done once again? "Yes it has! They moved X Games up a month so it was an early birthday gift this time. It feels great to be able to go back-to-back. This year was even more rewarding with being able to help The Seth Foundation raise awareness at such a big event like X Games." How does this one compare to the first one, did you feel more pressure as defending champion, and how did you deal with that pressure? "The pressure was definitely on this year. Normally pressure hurts me, but this was a different kind. I think it was because I was so confident coming in that nothing else mattered." Get us up to date on what's been happening with you in the WMX series and your other racing venues?
How's life overall at nearly the ripe age of 20? "It's great! I definitely don't feel 20. When I was younger my dad had a pretty bad crash riding and he ended up paralyzed, and I had to grow up early. So now with every passing birthday I'm waiting for my age to catch up to how old I really feel! Plus, with all the crashes my body doesn't feel 20 either. Ha-ha." Care to comment on your high-visibility color coordinated riding gear? "That's one of those things that just worked out. The bike had a lot of blue in it so Alpinestars sent me a set of blue and white boots. O'Neal just sent me blue and orange gear; I didn't even pick it out. The We-are MX gloves brand makes a rad set of yellow goggles, and the Shoei helmet was painted by ‘Mandingopickles' with their colors being orange, green and yellow. Everything just went with everything else, so it was pretty crazy that it all worked out that way." What are your thoughts about going for a possible golden trifecta next year? "I have definitely given it thought, but then I try not to. A lot can happen in a year. If I come in as healthy and confident as this year, I predict the same result, but right now it's time to put my focus towards Arenacross." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
