Rob Adelberg Talks Red Bull X-Fighters Pretoria

Australia’s Rob Adelberg is in South Africa and gearing up to compete in the 4th stop of the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 12 September.
We caught up with Rob to interview him about his Freestyle Motocross career and what we can expect from him this weekend:

Give us a quick rundown of some of your highlights of your career?
My main highlights so far would be a silver medal at X Games Brazil, 3^rd at X-Fighters Dubai, 3rd at X-Fighters Greece and a 1st at X-Fighters Glen Helen.

Which X-Fighters course has suited your riding style the most this year?
I would say Greece because it was the most open so far with more jumps and had lines the bull fighting arenas can’t.

What are you hoping the course builders do with the Pretoria track?
I’m hoping they just make it testing and with some unique lines.

With the progression of FMX, there is a fine line between landing new and innovative tricks and crashing out. Where do you draw that line?
I’m in the middle with this [laughs]. I like to be smooth and controlled but I have added a Body Varial and Quarter Pipe trick that are still a little scary, just about riding that fine line.

What new tricks are you working on or planning to work on? Or is that a secret?
I have been working on Double Grab Flips and I have a secret trick I’m working on with the quarter pipe.

How much more do you think Freestyle Motocross and its tricks can evolve and progress?
It’s got years and years of progression to go. It’s all about how hard you want to send it really, like you could do ten Frontflips if you wanted to jump 30 meters high you know.

What has competing in the Red Bull X-Fighters world tour done for your riding and career?
I feel totally blessed to ride X-Fighters. I have been training for many years actually, most of my life has been dedicated to bikes and FMX and it’s really paying off.

What do you think is the main attribute to the progression of FMX in recent years?
Competitions like X-Fighters are really the only thing that keeps this sport progressing, we are all competitive and love bikes so it keeps us going.

What are you looking forward to most competing in the 4th stop of the tour in South Africa?
First I’m stoked to see my friend Alastair Sayer back again. Then personally, I just want to do my best and get a podium finish.

Take us through an X-Fighters weekend, from practice, to planning your runs, to what goes through your mind when your are about to compete?
Being from Australia first of all, I have a huge flight. Get into town, build the bikes with my mechanic and test the course. Then at night there’s a welcome dinner and some sight seeing which is good. Then it’s bike time with a few practice sessions and qualifying. After that it’s show time!

What can fans expect from you come 12 September in Pretoria?
Be prepared to see me throw down my best tricks, I want to be the smoothest rider out there and I’ll turn it on for the crowd.

What are your goals for the Pretoria stop of the tour?
Realistically it’s the same for every round, to just do my best, keep it smooth and put on a show.

The fourth stop of the 2015 Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour takes place on 12 September at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. Tickets are on sale here.
Can’t make it? We have you covered, as we’ll be broadcasting the event live right here on LW Mag!

To read our previous interview with Clinton Moore, click here.
To read our previous interview with Levi Sherwood, click here.
To read our previous interview with Adam Jones, click here.
To read our previous interview with Remi Bizouard, click here.
To read our previous interview with Tom Pages, click here.
To read our previous interview with David Rinaldo, click here.