Little is known about Michael Robinson. He's a quiet fellow but beneath the surface beats the heart of a... well Tiger! His skills are off the charts & he is one of my favourite riders to watch race because every time he races he does something on the track that makes me shake my head in disbelief & I ask myself the question (in my head of course!), "Did I just see that?"
Michael, let's tell the good people out there in BMX land a little about the mysterious "Tiger" Robinson.
Name: Michael Robinson
Nickname: Tiger
Age: 24
Club: Nerang
Started racing: Age 5
First race bike: Robinson Junior
Current race bike(s): Intense Sabot Pro XL
Class(es) ridden: Elite Men/AA Pro
Career Highlight: I feel its yet to come
Current Ranking(s) - State/National/World
Worst BMX Injury: Just a couple of fractures
Like most about BMX: Everything except the politics
Favourite Track: Louisville, Kentucky
Favourite Rider(s): Anthony (Howie) Waye # 38
Biggest Rival(s): Any of the Elite/AA class
Current Occupation: Cyclist
Favourite Music:
Favourite Food: Too many great foods to list
Favourite Drink: Water
Favourite TV Show: Laguna Beach/MTV
Favourite Movie Too many favourites
Relationship Status:
Other Sports and Hobbies: Working on my backyard track
Thank you: Adam for this interview, Sponsors; Intense BMX, Shimano, Intense Tire Systems, THE, Fly Racing, & Sinz. Also Sean Dwight and HPP program, Cycling Australia, Craig "Deuce" Sainsbury and BMXpress/BMX World magazines. And of course Mum and Dad
What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?
It's hard to pick one from 19 years of BMX. As I said above for career highlight - I think the best is yet to come with my BMX career.
Have you always possessed your awesome bike skills or was it something you've had to work hard at to develop?
I feel it's something I have always possessed, having said that, I am always trying to improve my skills.
What would you say is your greatest strength?
Usually I would say my skills, but at the moment probably my first straight.
Do you have an Achilles heel?
Two of them! LOL
What do you do to develop your strength, improve your speed, etc?
Gym and sprint training.
Do you do anything special to develop your mental toughness for racing?
I wouldn't say I do anything special. I just try to stay relaxed and focus. My advice is to try not to let anything bother you at the races, & to enjoy the time you have.
What are your thoughts on the Supercross type events?
Definitely a rush to ride the tracks & the actual events themselves are run really well. Gets a lot of media attention.
Is Supercross the future of BMX?
It seems to be heading that way. Riders are constantly progressing, so naturally the tracks need to progress also. It's important that the riders can turn up at a track and feel challenged. I think whatever the style of track that is used for the Olympics will determine the sports future direction. Whether they build a "Supercross" style track or a more traditional style track?
What are the major differences between racing in the US & racing in Australia?
The amount of national races they have throughout the year, they are constantly racing week in week out. The hype, the amount of riders they have i.e. the moto count. In the AA Pro ranks, if you don't get a good gate your done for that race. They race their motos like finals. Every moto is stacked with fast guys.
Do you think the Olympics will propel BMX into the mainstream of sports events?
Fingers crossed that it does. I think it will come down to how the Olympic race is run and presented on TV. Only time will tell.
What will you be doing 10 years from now?
Right now I'm not too sure. I have a few different interests for an after BMX career. One is possibly staying around in the sport, coaching, passing on what I have learnt from racing and training at the highest level. Two, I am interested in real estate/property buying & selling/investment. So I will just have to wait and see what the future holds for me.
