Arvis Iljins
/
Latvia
FOLLOW ME
Date of birth:
1997.05.27
Hometown:
Calgary, Alberta
Sponsors:
Sherco Canada,
Blackfoot Direct,
Fierce Girl Fitness,
Glow Health & Vitality,
MRSI,
PDC Bits,
Hobbies:
Camping, paddle boarding, anything outdoors, basketball, unicycling
Favourite athletes:
Josh Strang, Taylor Robert, Annie Thorisdottir, Jonny Walker, Chad Reed, Jessica Gardner, Kailub Russell. Way too many favorite athletes to list them all!
BIO
Lexi is a young lady that is recognized as one of Canada’s top women competitors. Despite the age of 17, she has a long list of championships and accomplishments in the offroad racing world currently holding a CMA Pro license for cross country and hare scrambles. Numerous Pro ice racing championships, three time X-Games endurocross competitor and the proud recipient of a Silver medal from the 2013 International Six Day Enduro held in Italy. Most recently 2014 AMA National Women’s Pro Endurocross championship.
Focused, committed and hardworking would definitely characterize Lexi and she absolutely loves riding motorcycles. She enjoys competing with both men and women. Currently Lexi is focused on the USA AMA Geico Endurocross series that demands her technical ability and physical conditioning. She loves training on rocks, logs and motocross at the local track combined with 5 days a week of intense crossfit based workouts.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I want to be world champion for the super enduros. Racing at a top pro level locally.
What would be your greatest achievement?
2014 AMA National Women’s Endurocross Championship
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
General travelling expenses to get to the races. Endurocross is also physically demanding, if you aren’t in good shape it is very hard to finish these races.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Being well conditioned, riding smooth and “clean”, not making mistakes, being confident in my bike and equipment as well as myself.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
My training on bike takes part at the local track here in Calgary Alberta. If we aren’t riding track we are out playing in many areas of the beautiful and challenging Rocky Mountains.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
Practicing drills, you can ride laps around your track for days but what it really comes down to is knowing how to ride something that is unfamiliar and knowing how to react in these situations.
We will practice many different techniques on one obstacle, for example practicing the smaller logs and slowly increasing the size of the log.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Trusting the skills of the competition. This is especially stressful when following another rider through a section where there is limited options. If they mess up, I’m hooped. When racing it isn’t the fact that you can or cant do something it is doing just as good when others are on the track at the same time.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
Mom, Dad for sure. They have been there since day one and continue to push me to be the best rider I can be. I also have a large fan base of young girls that ride, I constantly get messages from people that say their children are excited to watch my races.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
Never die until your dead. This directly relates to endurocross. Sometimes we have a bad race and end up in the back of the pack. But with endurocross you can go from hero to zero in a matter of seconds. So make sure you never give up!
What are your future plans?
As much as I would love to have a career in the motorcycle industry, I have to focus on finishing high school and pursue post secondary schooling. And, of course, working my butt off to defend my endurocross championship and challenge myself on a world level in super enduro.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Follow your dreams and don’t give up. Sometimes you will come across road blocks but don’t let that stop you.
If you are just getting into the sport I would suggest finding a friend to experience this with. Spend all your money on gas and ride, ride, ride. Enjoy it!
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