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Catching Up With Rob Adelberg

Written by Goba Tuesday, 31 August 2010 12:00

Behind Kiwi Levi Sherwood Rob Adelberg was the highest placed Aussie in freestyle at this years X Games competition. His fifth placed finish capped off a massive week for the fella as he also became a father a few days before X16 kicked off with the birth of his first son Cayden. That week was definitely a highlight for Rob, who's had a solid year also tasting great success on the world IFMXF tour. Unfortunately the same can't be said for his run on the Red Bull X-Fighters series where he has experienced two accidents at two attempts in Mexico City and London rounds. With the season closing in Rob has two chances to prove that his X Games result was no fluke, and we caught up with Rob on the eve of him flying to the States to talk about all this and more.

Rob Adelberg's best is yet to come! Pic: gobadirt.com

Rob you've recently become a father, and it sounds like you've had one hell of a month: Sure have, the last month or so has been huge with the birth of my son Cayden, then two days later I shipped off to X Games in the US, which was the biggest event I've ever competed in. Then a week later I went to London for X-Fighters, the second one I've been too, but like the first one I went to in Mexico City it didn't end the way I wanted it to. Take away my crash in London those few weeks were definitely a highlight of my life.

Tell us how it felt to witness the birth of your son then get into the mindset you needed to entering an event like X Games: Before Cayden was born I thought I was super nervous about X Games and only a little bit about his birth, but then going through the traumatic experience of birth and then knowing he was healthy just took all the pressure away that I was feeling beforehand. I realised all that I was worried about was him. Then heading into X Games I was super relaxed, like it wasn't such a big deal for me anymore.

Did you have any expectations going into the event: Not really. I looked at the field of riders, and put myself down the back of the field, like so and so will beat me, or I'll be battling with these guys etc. But then once at X I put a run together that I knew I could do consistently at around 70 per cent of my ability, and it ended up paying off as I got eighth in the first round, which put me through to the semi. Then I ended up fifth overall after that round.

Rob impressed in his X debut finishing fifth in freestyle. Credit: Tomas Zuccareno/Shazamm/ESPN Images

You must have been stoked with that result: Yeah for sure. I say to people X Games is like the olympics of FMX, and to finish fifth place at my first one when not really expecting it made me super happy!

That result would have given you confidence heading into X-Fighters London yeah: For sure because for me I don't get to practice on a course with double doubles, or hip jumps etc. At X Games they had all of that and more, and I adapted pretty quick so heading to London I felt confident because the course had similar hits. First practice in London I Flipped everything and jumped everything I wanted to, which felt good. It took the pressure away. I really thought I had a chance at reaching the podium, or at worse top five at that event, but then I crashed in another practice session, which sucked.

Run us through that crash, what happened: I was in the middle of getting my run sorted and I wanted to do a Flip Cordova off the first jump on the double double line, then a Heelclicker Flip off the second. I'd done the Heelclicker Flip off the second plenty of times, but when I tried my first Cordova Flip over the first jump I don't think I was quite prepared enough, or I got a little cross rutted because I just got no rotation off the top of the next hit and ended up coming in nose heavy, which sent me over the bars and I head planted the ground and knocked myself out cold. Luckily I didn't break any bones or badly injured myself, but the concussion meant I couldn't ride Qualifying, which put me out of the event.

Arma Energy, a new deal for Rob. Pic: gobadirt.com

We see you've been rocking a new helmet design, what's the deal: A few days before X Games Arma Energy Nuts, which is a new company entering into action sports, decided they wanted to help me out and painted my helmet in their colours. They produce a trail mix, and almonds coated in a gold substance that has caffeine and taurine in it. They taste real good!

Who else is on the team: The crew that are looked after by the same manager as myself are Mike Metzger, and BMX riders Chad Cagy and Mike Clark. SX/MX rider Jason Lawrence is also sponsored by Arma Energy.

Things seem to be rolling along nicely for you, you've come a long way from the days of riding a Honda CR80 at your compound in Ballarat. What's your focus for the coming months: Spending time with my family is important, and getting into the foam pit to learn some new tricks as I haven't really had the chance to do that much in the past. I'm right now getting ready to fly over to the States to ride the LG Action Sports comp this weekend, but I haven't had a chance to practice since my crash in London so I plan to get two days in before the event once I'm over there. 

What about the IFMXF events as you were leading that series at one stage: I'm not too sure what's happening yet. The series starts back up in October. I was equal first with Libor Podmol after the Switzerland round, then I missed out on Turkey because I rode Nitro Circus, which automatically put me back to fourth. There is a chance I could still win the series depending on who's riding and their results. If I do go back I'll definitely go with more confidence and aim to be on the top of the podium each round. If I don't go back I'll probably do the Crusty Tour and Pro Open that's coming up in October. I've also got another shot at X-Fighters as they've invited me back to Rome so I'll be heading there with the aim of making it through with a strong result. My game plan is not to win, but more to just put down solid runs and see where I end up. I want to prove to everyone that X Games was no fluke!

We hope it all goes well for you Rob, best of luck mate and congrats on becoming a Dad: Yeah thanks guys!