“With a smile in the face.”

Libor Podmol is third in the current IFMXF world rankings – and on September 14, he will be one of the ten riders who will fly through Las Ventas, the largest bullfighting arena in Spain, at the Red Bull X-Fighters. In interview, the 22-year-old Czech talks about helpful friends, favorite tricks and very cool highlights.

You were informed only 16 days before the Red Bull X-Fighters that you would be allowed to start at the Red Bull X-Fighters. How big was the surprise?

My telephone rang, I picked up and shortly thereafter I was no longer just a fan who wanted to watch the spectacle on television. I still cannot believe that I am one of the chosen ten.

You definitely celebrated just a little?

No. I knew that I could not waste any time. The weather in the Czech Republic was not the best, therefore I called my friend, Remi Bizouard, and he spontaneously invited me over to France, in order to train with him. I immediately packed my bags and was out the door.

Will you still work on special new tricks before Madrid?

I would like to perfect my Long Distance Flip. And I will also work very hard on all of my other jumps. I want to show my best side in Madrid.

What is your personal favorite trick?

I like to jump the Tsunami. And the Jackhammer, I jump that as a No-Hander-Landing. That’s pretty cool.

What kind of expectations will you bring to the start in Madrid?

I only know this event so far from DVDs, and watching it on television I was already fascinated by this unbelievable audience. Just the thought that I am now going to start there is already the personal highlight of my athletic life thus far. I don’t want to speculate now at all about the lead spot, but I think that I will come home from Madrid with a smile in the face. No matter how the race ends.

Your opponents will include Travis Pastrana, Nate Adams and Ronnie Renner. What goes through your mind when you find your name in this field of starters?

I have never met Travis, and still haven’t even seen him live in action. It’s not just that I’ll be able to watch him and the other superstars up close now, but now I can even jump together with them. That is really very cool.

You live in the Czech Republic. Have you already considered moving to the USA at least for while like, for instance, Mat Rebeaud, in order to profit there from the perfect training conditions?

No, I am not that far yet. I live in Znosim, a small city near Prague, and I feel pretty good here. I can also train here quite well. Of course, I would also like to train and ride in the USA, but I feel right now would still be a little too early for me.