Lara Lessmann is one to look out for. She’s been competing in Fise with the kind of support few riders are getting right now in freestyle BMX, and that’s the support of her own country. Learn more about her below and her journey to Tokyo in 2020.
Beatrice: For those who may not know you, could you introduce yourself and tell us how you got into riding?
Lara: My name is Lara, I am 17 years old and I come from Flensburg, Germany. I got into BMX when I was 9 years old. My brother took me to a skate park where I tried BMX for the first time and I had a lot of fun.
Beatrice: What do you ride?
Lara: All my parts are from BSD, Haro or Demolition.
BMX Freestyle Jamaica asks: Hello there, I’d like to know, what was it like, the very first time you began learning bar spins. What kinda things went through your mind at times while learning them and what was one of the scariest BMX sessions you’ve ever had?
Lara: It was a crazy feeling, it felt wrong but after I tried it several times I landed it perfect. My scariest BMX session might be the session where I was jumping over a jump box and a friend jumped beside me and we crashed in the air. I ended up with a concussion and had to rest for 2 weeks.
Beatrice: When you’re getting ready for a big competition like Fise, what do you do to prepare?
Lara: Usually I don’t prepare anything special. I make sure that I’m able to land all my tricks perfectly and if there’s 1 trick I’m not able to land 10/10 times, I don’t perform it in competition. I try to stay fit and ride a little more safe in the training sessions to avoid injuries.
Cami Harambour asks: How did having a national team influence her riding?
Lara: It was absolutely amazing, it’s so good to know there is always someone who’s got your back.
Cory Coffey asks: Is she on an official Olympic training regime? If so, what’s your training session like?
Lara: Right now I don’t have a special training regime. I try to stay fit while doing sports, running and riding BMX. In school I have a special training regime which involves cardio and muscle training at the gym.
Beatrice: What’s your plan or goal for the 2020 Olympics, what do you think about the Olympics introducing Freestyle BMX?
Lara: My big dream is it to be a part of the 2020 Olympics. I’m going to try my best and I won’t give up until my dream comes true. At first I was skeptical if it was going to be the freestyle I’m used to (format of the competition), but now I’m more excited and I’m looking forward to the future.
Beatrice: Who inspires you in BMX ?
Lara: When I was young I looked up to my brother, but after I began to go to contests and see some pros live, I became a big fan of Pat Casey. He Inspired me with his riding style.
Beatrice: What advice would you have someone who wants to enter Fise and maybe give the Olympics a try?
Lara: Try to get a solid trick rotation, maybe mix the tricks up a little to bring in your individual style, and do it for fun, if you do it just for first place, BMX won’t have any value. When you do it for fun, you will improve and you’ll automatically get higher rankings in competition.
