Forum
Contact us at:
sicchicsofbmx@yahoo.com.au
Melissa Mankowski
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Melissa Mankowski, I am 16, finally going into Junior Elite next year. I live in Central Queensland.
What type of bike do you ride?
Black Standard XL
Who are your sponsors?
Standard/Cycology - Tioga
How did you get involved in BMX and how long have you been racing? How long do you think you will keep racing?
It was a fun
day at Middlemount in central Queensland where I lived at the time, my two
older brothers were going so I thought I would have a go and I haven't
stopped yet. I want to keep racing for as long as I can until I have
achieved all my goals that I have set for myself.
What major results and achievements have you had?
12 x National #1
6 x World #1
11 x Queensland #1
What has been your most memorable moment/s in BMX?
Definitely
winning the world championships in Australia because you have the
atmosphere and so much more support from the people that watch you ride
all year and
to finally give some thing back to them.
What has been your biggest disappointment in BMX?
Not
being able to defend my world title in Holland this year. I had a broken
wrist but I will be clearing all that up next year.
Who would you say is/has been your toughest competitor?
All
the girls that race pro.
What are your future goals/ambitions? Is there anything that you haven’t achieved yet, but would like to?
Yeah
there is a lot of things that I haven't achieved yet and I hope to soon
and that is to go to America and win pro and being the first female to win
a GOLD MEDAL at the OLYMPICS.
What do you like most about BMX?
Being
able to do the thing I love the most riding my bike and having a good time
with all the wonderful people I have met over the years.
What do you least like about BMX?
Parents
that push their kids too win, they have to remember that BMX is meant to
be a fun sport.
What states have you raced in in Australia?
All
of them.
As you live in Far North Queensland you have to travel a very long way to get some competitive racing competition. Do you find the long hours travelling tiring?
No
not at all because I try to sleep as much as possible and that is usually
all the way so I'm happy.
You have been allowed to race pro since the rule change in Australia that now allows the younger riders to race pro classes. Do you think this is a positive change and do you think being able to race pro has helped your racing?
I have
been racing pro since I was 12, so it hasn't really affected me having to
be 14 and all. Yeah I think the younger riders have helped my riding just
being so close to people I think it helps everyone.
What countries have you raced in? Which country have you enjoyed racing in the most?
I
have raced in Canada, France, America, Brazil, Holland. What country
have I enjoyed the most I would have to say America or Canada because the
racing is so different compared to here in Australia.
What is your favourite race meeting to attend and why?
Um Track
Attack would be one of them because you just don't race the same track you
have 6 different tracks in a week and my most favourite would be Liverpool
Masters because it is always a well organised event with loads of
competition.
How do you think more females could be encouraged to start racing BMX? How do you think the females that are already involved in BMX could be encouraged to stay in the sport?
We
definitely need to promote the sport as a girls sport not so much a guys
sport.
You are looked up to by many BMX’ers. What does this feel like?
I don't
really think about that, I'm just the same as everyone else at the race
track.
Did you look up to anybody when you were younger? If so, who and why? Is there anybody these days that you look up to and admire?
Rachel
Marshall of course. We rode
on the same team for a while and she was such an inspiration to me and
helped me a lot.
Now I
look up to Kyle Bennett and J-Rich from the USA cause they are just such
awesome riders to watch they are unbelievable
on a bike.
Did you used to beat the boys at club meetings? How did they handle this?
I
used to get teased a lot just because I beat them, but they eventually got
over is and now were all good mates.
You are a really good jumper. At what age did you start jumping? Who taught you how to jump and can you do any tricks?
I
started jumping when I was 8 after 1997 World Titles in Canada because all
the American’s were jumping. My brother Chris and Glenn West
taught me how to jump.
What do you do for training? Do you have any training tips for the younger riders?
Tips for
younger riders start small and work your way up when you get the
confidence you can do anything, also remember to have fun when your doing
it.
I
just try ride my bike as much as I can.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of BMX? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Things
I do in my spare time, Gee hang out with my friends, my boyfriend. The
things I do outside of BMX? I do a lot of swimming just for some fun, Go
shopping..!!
What is your favourite music to listen to?
Anything
by Simple Plan, Good Charlotte
Do you have a favourite TV show?
Home
and Away
Do you have any words of wisdom for the younger riders?
Try ride
your bike as much as possible just remember that you're out there to have
fun not out there to ride your bike for your mum and dad.
This is the thank you part, so fire away.
Oh My
God where do I start..? Terry Bourke from standard Cycology and the guys
at the shop Brendan and Neil for fixing anything that is wrong with my
bike. The Team Manager Brett for all his 
help
and support when things got tough, to the rest of the team, Gav and Jake
thanks for all your support as well.
To
Mum and Dad without you guys taking me everywhere I don't know what I
would be doing, and too my boyfriend for all of his support too.
Last but no least to Tioga for there recent sponsorship with Team
Standard.
I promised Kriz I would do this and to Kriz (Bad Kat) 20man for all the help when I go down to Livo.
THANK
YOU
For more information on Melissa check out her website at www.missm.tk.