Timo Pritzel’s CoffeeTalk.

Nearly eight years now that i met Timo for the first time . And back in the days, he was the first real “pro” dirtjumper that i had the chance to meet. It was at the BikeShow in Birmingham and even dirtjumps at the time were not really as huge as now, Timo was killin’ it on them, throwing huge flips on his first try…You can always expect the most insane things of him on a bike, as much as he’s mellowguy off the bike. Few years after, i had the chance to work more closely with him, travelling, filming, and he became a good friend. Now he’s 32, and i can tell you one thing, you can still expect the much of him as soon he’s riding his bike. That’s maybe what’s make the difference between normal people and pro’s, the abitlity to swith off the fears sometimes héhéhé… Anyway, here’s my christmas present, the Timo Pritzel’s CoffeeTalk. Enjoy and watch out for some 2010 sick things from him ! Thx to Viktor Strasse for the trail+street pics and Daniel Geiger for the freeride ones…

Name ? Age ? Timo Pritzel, I’m 32.

Who you’re riding for ? Scott, Schwalbe,Oakley,Sram(Truvativ,Avid Brakes,Rock Shox),TSG,A Class Rims, KT Leasing(Car Sponsor)

How and when did you start riding a bike ? When did you become a “pro” ? I started early making some little money with doing BMX jump ramp shows(with 12) but when I was 17 I did not want to continue school or work so I wrote a letter to a BMX Magazin asking for a host family to stay in the States for one year and Race BMX, I found a family in Las Vegas! And had a Race Sponsor that made it possible to travel to all the Races in the states and experience many things. When I came back home I worked for a while as a Postman (riding a bike of course) which showed me how the normal working life is and got me more motivated to make my Hobby and passion my life! In 1996 I got the Cover of the Freedom BMX Magazine which got me really motivated to Dirt Jump more and stop Racing.( I love BMX Racing but the Scene in Germany at that time was not good). 2 years after being a Postman I became World Champion in BMX Dirt!

What were the biggest changes in life turning pro ? I was really Happy after growing up and looking up to riders asking them for stickers and Autographs that then it was my turn in that position! Its great to follow your instincts and do what you want to do and make a living with it! But it is not all easy being a Pro. For me the hardest thing was not to loose the fun riding my Bike! Because after I had that World Champion Title on my Back, I felt pressure. Plus dealing with many Injuries and seing friends get hurt badly.

How do you train ? When I m home and the weather is right I ride trails Spots around Berlin, but also go to the Gym, ride my Road Bike and do lots of Yoga ! But it also involves for me to eat good and have a healthy lifestyle in general.

Can you describe a normal day of your life ? wake up @ 8-9, do some little exercise to loosen up. Do Paperwork and work on the computer for my Sponsors, Plan Trips organize Fotoshoots etc + my Blog and work on my company Atmosfair clothing…then ride, or do yoga. Eating good is a pretty big part in my life I Enjoy cooking or going to eat out at good places. I did not have an relationship the last year and a half, but that is changing now….so the rest of the day I meet my Girlfriend.

Can you please briefly sum up your season ? This was the first season where I cancelt most competitions because I had to realize that with being 32 years old and having 13 years of competing at Dirt Jump Events! + other Events…Not that I don’t have the motivation anymore to compete against Riders half my Age with the newest Tricks. But it was my Body who said Stop! Without that I would have kept going because I m really competitive…In my career I had many Big serious Crashes that are stored in my Body+ my Immune System developed many Allergies + Serious Viruses, simply because my Body always had some Injuries was on the limit and had to work hard…well its not the normal 9 to 5 Job being a Dirt pro! But I’m not done jet! I just don’t want to ride that many Events anymore…..you will still see big stunts from me!

I wish that more riders would understand what consequences big crashes have to your Body, its so important to learn to listen to what your Body tells you and have good Body Workers! (Physio-Osteopath, Natural Medicine etc) If you want to compete or just ride for a long time at a top level you have to do your homework with stretching your Body and learning what is right to do after crashing and finding a good Body Worker.

What are you focused on for next year ? Any changes ? Sponsors ? Focused on having Fun on my Bike and enjoying Life! My tmo Podcast is coming soon! So I will organize different Trips and make little Web Videos out of it. Sponsors all the same except A Class is my new Wheel Sponsor! I will have a signature rim coming out with them soon!

Check my Blog-http://www.atmosfair-clothing.com/blog/

And my Web Page for news-http://www.timopritzel.com/ + LFBC !

What are you up to for this winter ? While I’m tiping this…I will leave for the Beach in Thailand in a few hours ! But when I come back I will find a Trails spot that is ride able and train for the season.

What are you doing when you’re not on you bike ? Pretty much answered this question with the “normal day of my life” But I have to say that Yoga is a pretty big part of my life now because it helps me with my injuries and makes me feel so much better but does also give me peace for my “monkey” in my head that normally always talks!

What kind of music do you listen to ? Lately Bonobo from Ninja Tunes a lot, I met my Girlfriend(who is a Yoga Teacher;) at the concert in Berlin. But I love Mos Def!

I just started Sponsoring a really cool Rapper from Germany with Atmosfair Clothing….Chefket…check him out!

http://www.myspace.com/chefketmusic

What was your dream when you were a kid ? Did you succeed ? Yes I m living my Childhood Dream! I started on my local Playground spot in Berlin Neukölln in 1983 after I saw older Kids do a Wheely Battle …..and step by step my Dreams came true from my first Wheely, to first trophy at a Race, to a Picture in a Magazine, Sponsors, to German Champion in BMX Race, Dirt and Street! To being a big Name in the Bike Industrie—-etc..It amazes me how when you really want something in life and want it with your heart you can achieve whatever you want! So start making Goals! Its all possible!

Which skills do you think are recquired to be a top-level athlete ? Love what you do. Understand that there is more to it than riding your Bike…(be a good Person, being professional with Sponsors,etc)

Is there some persons who helped you along your career or now and you would like to thanks or put the spotlights on ? Well I wanna thank my Parents of course for supporting me with my start in BMX Racing and driving with me to the Races. I wann thank Marko Mantey and the Air Team Crew, he used to train me in BMX Racing and later had an Agency where he organized BMX Shows and later the European King of Dirt and other things I was always involved and helped which teached me a lot. Living with TJ Lavin for a while in Vegas showed me whats possible and motivated me a lot.