Kamil Tatarkovic

How does FOX contribute to your success?
In our sport, a good suspension is one of the most important things on the bike. I can trust all FOX products and I can focus just on racing and riding. FOX products just work great all year long and you don't have any trouble during the year.

Tell us about your best race or event and how it changed you.
It was probably my first World Cup Fourcross podium in 2004 in Schladming where I finished in 2nd place. It was my first big international success and I realized that maybe one day I would be able to win big races. It also helped me to get into Kona international team which was a great experience.

Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
During all Fourcross races I'm riding a hardtail bike just with front suspension. I don't have any special setting I just like to have a pretty soft fork so it can easily absorb everything.

What else is in your garage?
Except 4X, DH, FR, XC and road bike it is a BMX bike, Suzuki RMZ250 and a pitbike.

What's your training regimen?
I'm combining all kinds of different sport activities. During the winter it is a lot of gym, trainer, running, doing sprints on bike, skiing, playing squash and during summer it is riding on the BMX track, riding 4X, DH, dirt jump, etc.

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
I broke my shoulder in 2001 in Switzerland, had a surgery there but luckily about 1.5 months later I was back on the bike and racing.

What's your typical pre-race/event meal? Guilty pleasure?
Usually I eat something like pasta or rice with chicken and some good sweets.

How do you determine which races or events to enter each year?
My priorities are World Cups and World Champs. Then it depends on the dates of races but I'm trying to do races in Czech and some other interesting races in Europe.

What motivated you to get started professionally?
Since I was a little kid I wanted to be a pro athlete and be one of the best riders. Every day I tried my best to achieve this goal.

What separates you from other professional athletes?
It is hard to say what separates me from others. I like trying some jumps as the first one on the track so maybe this should be it.

What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
I would be riding just for fun and maybe would be studying and working as a chemical engineer.

What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
I love travelling to different countries and knowing different cultures.

What other sports are you interested in?
Skiing, MX riding, playing squash, and tennis.

Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Never give up and don't be afraid of failure!

What are your favorite magazines and websites?
I like magazines and websites about bikes, MX, FMX, travelling, cooking, etc.

Favorite movie quote?
Don't have any.

Who is your hero?
My parents!

Are you a Mac or PC? PC

Top 3 bands Hazydecay, Skapollo, and Discoballs

Greatest strength Reliability

Most frustrating challenge Waiting for something