From the Rainbow Jersey to the Olympics (2. strana)
MS v Pumptracku, Durban, Jižní Afrika 2024 | Dan Griffiths STYLE From the Rainbow Jersey to the
116 ǀ POSITIV 1/2025
STYL
How do you plan your training to succeed in all three
disciplines?
I train under the guidance of French coach Thomas
Allier, a two-time BMX world champion and Olympian.
Thanks to his experience, I’m able to combine all
three disciplines effectively. Thomas supports me in
everything I do, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Balancing studies, intense training, and frequent
travel to competitions can’t be easy. How do you
manage it all?
I’m still in school, and this year I’m preparing for my
final exams at Ahol High School in Ostrava. I’m hoping
everything goes well so I can fully focus on becoming
the 100% athlete I’ve always dreamed of being. The
past few years have been incredibly demanding and
stressful, with constant travel and racing almost every
weekend. Luckily, I’ve had great support from my
teachers, who have always been understanding and
helped me balance school with my sporting career.
How do you see the current popularity of pumptrack
in the Czech Republic? What do you think could help
further develop the discipline here?
Pumptrack is still a relatively young discipline, but
we already have plenty of great tracks in the Czech
Republic. What we need is to better motivate kids and
promote the sport more effectively, because it offers
a fantastic foundation for all cycling disciplines – just
like BMX.
Do you use any specific technologies or equipment
to help boost your performance?
During the winter, I train on a Wattbike, where we use
sprints to measure leg strength. To improve endurance
and breathing efficiency, I use a simulator with a mask
at Hypeoxy, which mimics high-altitude training
conditions.
How do you mentally prepare for important races?
Do you have any rituals or techniques that help you
manage stress?
Stress is always part of racing, but over the past year,
reading has helped me a lot. One book in particular
– Psychologie vítězství (The Psychology of Victory)
by Václav Petráš – really boosted my confidence and
self-belief.
Do you have a motto or life philosophy that guides
you?
The motto I live by is: Train to dominate, not just to
show up! It reminds me that it’s not enough to just take
part – every training session should be a step toward
becoming the best.
Do you see yourself as a role model for young
cyclists? Do you try to inspire the next generation
of athletes?
I believe that through my experience with travelling and
combining different disciplines, I can be a role model
for young cyclists. Most of all, I want to show them that
at a young age, sport and racing should be fun – I think
that’s the real key to success.
What are your immediate sporting goals? Which
major competitions do you have planned?
This year, I want to focus primarily on BMX. The main
event I’m preparing for is the World Championships
in Denmark, followed by the Pumptrack World
Championships in Switzerland. I’m also planning to
compete in the European and World Cup races in BMX,
and possibly in the full Crankworx series, as I’ve already
taken part in several races from that circuit.
What are your long-term goals in cycling? Are you
considering other sports or careers beyond racing?
My long-term goal in cycling is to compete at the
Olympics and become a Red Bull athlete. I’ve always
wanted to try snowboard cross – and although I’ve
ended up in a similar discipline, just on a bike, I’d still
love to give it a go one day.
Outside of cycling, I have a dream of opening my own
café.
Thank you for the interview.
Disciplines teach me to overcome fear,
embrace new challenges, and constantly
push my limits.
To improve endurance and breathing
eciency, I use a simulator with
a mask at Hypeoxy