SteelSmash BMX Crew

Since I started to ride BMX, one of the riders that i always looked for was Stefan Lantschner. With his own style, full of dialed tricks, smoothness and an incomparable passion to ride, he’s certainly one of the best riders when talking about crazy lines, big transfers and creative riding… Some days ago i got the chance to have an Interview with him, and immediately hit him up with this Exclusive Interview…

Name: Stefan Lantschner
Age: 26
Hometown: Bolzano, Italy
Sponsors: Flybikes, Nike 6.0, Carhartt, Eastpak, Frontocean, Fakieshop, Spy
Likes: Bmx, Mx, party, family, friends and good looking girls haha
Dislikes: Traffic, injuries, brake noise, wind
Years Riding: 10

SteelSmash: Bolzano is a small village in the Mountains of North of Itally, how did you get started in BMX?
Stefan Lantschner: My dad rode mx when he was younger so he bought me a bmx race bike, after a few years of bmx race i saw the xgames 9 in TV and got into fresstyle bmx.

SS: Do you still remember your first Sponsor? What about your first BMX Bike?
SL: My first sponsor was Movement, a skateshop form Bolzano, thx Boma! My first freestyle bike was a Specialized TJ Lavin Vegas.

SS: Clicked Turndownds, Awesome wallrides, stylish and smooth riding, you got it all. Who were your biggest influences in BMX?
SL: Riders with original styles, like Ruben Alcantara, Chase Hawk and Mike Aitken, orginal and clean styles!

SS: Tell us how you became sponsored by Flybikes.
SL: I organised a contest near Bolzano and invited Sergio. After that Fly was about to start a distribution in Italy and Sergio thought i would be good to ride for them…the distribution ended up not starting, but i already told a distribution from Germany i would ride for fly so he had to sponsor me anyways…hahahahaha

SS: How was the fell getting to build up your own signature frame and bar? (Flybikes Montaña Line)
SL: Was a drem coming true for sure, really stoked on it!!

SS: Everytime we see more and more grat riders coming out of Itally, like you, Simone Barraco, Alessandro Barbero (like many others). How is BMX organized in Italy?
SL: The scene is growing but still not to compare with countries like Germany or England but it’s getting better, give us a few more years…haha

SS: Looks like there is some new talent coming up from Italy recently. Can you give us some names that could make it on the scene in the future?
SL: Simone for sure, he has a lot of talent and all the new school tricks, he is very consistand as well. Another guy from Milan is Mitch, he has a good style and is getting better every time i see him, look out for this guy, we are gonna do an edit soon!

SS: You are that type of riders that really enjoy riding your Bike. Do you still have that same feeling than when you started riding?
SL: Of course when you’re younger and don’t have always time to ride your bike because of work you are more stoked, but i still have the same feeling riding a bowl just feels a way to good and the air is so refreshing!! haha

SS: Earlier in this year you’ve been in Portugal, for Carhartt BMX Visit My Town, what’s your opinion about Portugal, as place to Ride and Live?
SL: I only spent a few days there but i had a good time, the spots where really good, loved the old school bowls!

SS: What’s the best memory you have from Portugal?
SL: The session in that old school bowl with the guy dancing next to us with plenty of old ladies, you should check the carhartt edit, he is in there!!

SS: We know that you like riding MX too… How did that passion started, and how did you changed into BMX?
SL: I always had that passion and rode for 2 years when i was 14, but run out of money…. it doesn’t change much into bmx, maybe i can go a little faster allround bowls..haha

SS: There are any common things between riding BMX and your Dirt Bike? Did any helped you out with the other?
SL: For sure, everything is bigger in MX so if you ride bmx everything is smaller but doesn’t mean easier, you need to be more perciced in bmx, 5cm can send u to the face, in MX 5cm short is perfect!! haha

SS: Do you still compete in any MX races? How’s going the season?
SL: I will again in 2011, had a good seoson this year, was first in the local chamionship MX over 21 but i missed a few races because of travels and messed up one so i ended up 4th.

SS: Other things besides BMX and MX?
SL: Can’t wait to go skiing a bit when i get back home for Christmas and gokarting!!! we went the other day and it was really good fun!

SS: Tell us something people might not know about you.
SL: I did barspins and nohanders when I was 16!! haha

SS: Thank you very much, anything you wished to add before we wrap this?
SL: A good year 2011 with full speed!!

“Do what you like and you will like what you did” – Stefan Lantschner

In the name of SteelSmash, i would like to thanks Stefan Lantschner, for the opportunity of this Interview…