Filip Podmol is a Czech freestyle motocross rider whose career is packed with adrenaline, big wins, and bold challenges. He started out as a young talent in traditional motocross before switching gears to freestyle, where he's been climbing the global ranks for over a decade. Not only did he take down X-Games champions in Mexico and land the first double backflip by a Czech rider, but he's also jumped into the world of YouTube content creation. His latest video project, "You Can Never Win," shot in America with our fellow HF rider Daniel Hanka, is loaded with insane tricks and unique footage. And as Filip himself says, in freestyle motocross, you need courage and some serious "balls."
Hey Filip, can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
Hey, I'm Filip Podmol, and I’m all about freestyle motocross. I’ve been riding bikes pretty much since I could walk, haha. I started going pro at the age of 12. Initially, I competed in traditional motocross, where I snagged the title of Czech Republic vice-champion five times and even became vice-champion of the world. Later, I switched to freestyle motocross, and I've been doing that for about 10 years now. During that time, I’ve scored some pretty major wins – like finishing third in the world championships last year.
What do you consider the milestones of your FMX career?
Last year, at the Xpilots competition in Mexico, I managed to beat the X-Games champions who had won that event three times in a row. I also became the first Czech rider to land a double backflip on a bike. Recently, I decided to start making videos on YouTube. One of the projects we worked on with Horsefeathers is a video we shot in USA. Together with HF rider Daniel Hanka, who was both cameraman and editor, we put together a 10-minute video that I think is unlike anything else out there. We just had the premiere, so I’m curious to see how people like it.
Alright, let’s dive straight into your video project "You Can Never Win." Can you give us the lowdown on what it’s all about?
The main idea of the video is that I’ve got a date with my girlfriend, but I totally forget about it and end up rushing to meet her. She’s been waiting for me at a restaurant the whole time, while I’m racing through Vegas, Los Angeles, and other spots. By the time I finally get there, she blows me off because, as usual, I’m late. So, the video has a story; it’s not just your typical rider edit. It’s got a point, an inside joke, and a bunch of mini sketches.
How did the whole thing come about? Whose idea was it?
I’d been thinking about doing something like this for a while. My buddy Fabio Wibmer from Austria, who rides MTB and makes similar videos, was a big inspiration. There was also this American guy doing similar stuff with cars. But no one had done it on a dirt bike, so I figured I’d give it a shot. It took me a few years to find the time because it needed a lot of money and energy, and during the FMX season, it was tough to fit it in. But we finally made it happen, flew to the States, and shot our first "low-budget insane shit" video.
How long were you there, and where did you shoot?
We were there for two months. We shot in the streets of Las Vegas, including the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. We spent two days in Vegas, then moved on to Los Angeles, where we filmed in downtown, Beverly Hills, and those iconic concrete canals. After that, we headed to Temecula, California, which is basically the mecca of freestyle motocross and home to some of the sport’s biggest legends. We shot an entire sketch there with Robbie Madison, who rides for RedBull and holds the world record for the longest jump on a bike. We stayed with him for two weeks. Most of our time, though, was spent in California, riding in the hills around Beaumont. But the Vegas part is probably the most memorable, especially when you tell people you’ve got a 6-year ban from there.
A 6-year ban?! What for?
It’s because I rode my bike right up to the Bellagio hotel and handed it over to the valet who parks cars in the garage. They weren’t too happy about that. Plus, we were filming a shot where I was riding a wheelie in front of the fountain. We gave it like 40 tries and ended up using the first take anyway.
What was the craziest thing for you while filming this video?
Definitely jumping over cars worth over a million dollars. Another wild moment was when I jumped over a hill in Los Angeles that went viral after someone tried it with a Tesla and wrecked it. People from all over the world try that jump with cars, and I was one of the first to nail it on a bike.
How was filming with Dan?
Filming with Dan was awesome. It's not easy to find someone in Czech who speaks fluent English, has the time, and is genuinely into projects like this. I was looking for exactly that kind of partner, and with Dan, it worked out perfectly. Of course, it was a bit of a rollercoaster at times, but given our budget and the resources we had, we made the most of it. I think it really came together, and we had a blast on the trip. It was a mix of fun and filming. Plus, we knocked out 10 vlogs from our time in America, which were released gradually, along with the main edit. So, we definitely didn’t slack off—I was constantly riding, and Dan was there capturing and editing everything.
Got any top stories from your time in America?
For me, the top story has to be the one from Las Vegas. Getting a 6-year ban is pretty wild. Another unforgettable moment was when our car broke down in the middle of a highway at midnight. The car was borrowed from a friend, who we couldn’t reach, so we were stuck there with no plan. We had to improvise, which made things pretty interesting. You can check out how it all went down in this vlog.
I noticed you recently had shoulder surgery. How are you doing now?
I’m doing better now. Shoulder surgery takes a long time to heal properly, so the ligaments can mend correctly. I’ll be able to ditch the brace soon and start rehab and working out. I’m hoping everything goes smoothly and quickly. I’m planning to get back to riding around November.
What other plans do you have for this year?
We're planning a new video project, this time in Prague, and we’re looking to line up some sponsors for it. That’s why we put so much effort into the video from America, to show potential partners that we’re serious. We didn’t just go there for a vacation to shoot some easy riding footage—we created something that has a solid concept, makes sense, entertains people, and has the potential to go viral. I’ve also got a bunch of competitions lined up for the season, so we’ll see how that goes. On a personal note, I’m hoping to get myself a house with a big plot of land in Spain by the end of the year, where I can build a training setup since the conditions in Czech Republic aren’t ideal anymore.
What does freestyle motocross training actually look like? Riding motocross is one thing, but what you do on a bike is basically moto gymnastics.
For the tougher tricks, I start with jumps into a foam pit, and then we have to pull the bike out with a crane. It’s also super important to keep your body in top shape, so I hit the gym, do crossfit, and stretch daily. I’ve got some gymnastics basics down, but I don’t do traditional gymnastics training. This sport is more about having the "balls" to go for it. And aside from that, it’s just ride, ride, ride.
Can you mentally prepare for it?
It’s tough, but since I’ve been doing this at a pro level for a while, I know my limits—what I can and can’t push. When I first started, I was like a loose cannon. I got into it super fast, and in my first year, I even finished fourth at the European Championships, competing against world-class riders. Back then, I thought I was invincible. But then came the injuries, including my infamous shoulder issues, and a few big crashes that brought me back down to earth. It’s all about the individual, though. I’ve got friends who quit because they couldn’t handle the mental pressure, especially after an injury. FMX is definitely a sport that’s tough on the mind.
Got any tricks for handling it?
The best trick is to be well-practiced and take it step by step. That way, you build up your confidence, and everything starts to flow easier and smoother.
Do you have any overall goals you want to achieve in FMX?
I’ve already hit a lot of my goals, but I’d really like to keep going for as long as I can. I also want to use the videos we’re making to show people the beauty of moto sports and the sense of freedom that comes with it. In today’s fast-paced world, I feel like people are forgetting that, and some sports are getting a bit too soft. Instead of hardcore bikers, we’re seeing scooters and stuff like that, which I think is a shame. I want to keep showing people that this sport is still tough and authentic. And of course, one day I’d love to make it to the X-Games and be part of the world’s elite.
Have you ever thought about switching to endurance racing like your brother?
Yeah, my brother recently confronted me about it, saying he’ll only do the next Dakar Rally if I’m in too. I figure one day I’ll have to give it a go to keep up the family tradition since our dad raced there as well. It’s definitely on my radar, but I want to focus fully on freestyle motocross for a few more years before making that switch.
Any last words for aspiring FMX riders?
Stop making excuses. You can ride FMX on a stock bike and start jumping right next to your house. If you’re serious about it and really want to become an FMX rider, there’s always a way to make it happen. FMX is the only moto sport that doesn’t require a huge investment, and if you’re smart and work hard, you can make some decent money doing it.
