Video: Niels Bensink Shows Off his Incredible Style on a BMX and MTB
DIVERGENCE
– a short film with Niels Bensink –
divergence
[di.ver.gence] noun.
1. The development of dissimilar traits or features that typically occupy dissimilar environment
2. Deviation from a particular course or standard in different directions
Divergence is a short film in association with Radon Bikes featuring Niels Bensink. After more than 18 years of racing BMX, Niels sets his sights on a new adventure as he diverges from his standard routine in the Netherlands. He will be making the move to Langley, BC Canada early next year to get even more time on the bike and to explore more of the mountain bike world. In a video that has it all, from BMX race, pump track, dirt jumps to enduro, Niels tries to project his passion and appreciation for bikes and the beauty of two wheels onto your screen. Enjoy the different riding types!
Where most of the magic happens
Growing up in Voorst, Niels started riding BMX bikes around the house at a young age. Soon this grew into a tiny BMX track built by family friends on family acres. Travelling around Europe with his parents, to race soon became part of life and most of the hours during the day were spent on his 20-inch bike or in the backyard crafting his digging skills. Through the years things got more serious. The backyard evolved, jumps got bigger, speeds were higher, and berms got steeper, but also racing started to take off. At the age of 15 he moved to the Olympic Training Centre to train with the National Team full time. First as a Junior and later as an Elite. 7 beautiful years travelling the world to World Cups, getting to know yourself, committing fully to the sport, training with a very inspiring group of riders and some good results making multiple top 16’s at World Cups and European podiums.
Back at the place where Niels’ professional career in BMX started and where he lived for more than 6 years, the Olympic Training Centre in Papendal
But all good things come to an end. Niels signed with commercial team Oegema-TVE to loosen the ropes, get out of the daily routine and get back to the point why he started riding, FUN. In meantime mountain biking and specifically pump track got in the picture. Ever since the backyard got bigger and bigger, mountain bikes were the perfect bike to play around with. This led to trying out the Crankworx series in 2018 and eventually making top 8’s and 4’s in multiple Crankworx pump track and dual slalom events and getting 4th at the Pumptrack World Championships in 2019. After a long injury in 2019 and a short 2020 season these events brought light to the end of the tunnel. Last season would be a make or break year in BMX racing, but it being interrupted made this decision come a bit earlier than hoped.
Golden hour, high speed and technical gaps.
 | With time to think this year and having way more hours on the bike than other years I came to the conclusion that there is more to bike riding than just riding 20-inch bikes. Mountainbiking and pumptrack is something I grew up with from a young age and now that I’m making the big move to Canada, it is a great opportunity to focus on this more and I’m excited to start building a new playground from the ground up. BMX will always be a big part of my life, but what I need right now is a new and exciting environment with fresh impulses to develop myself more in different ways. This project is something Niek and I had in mind for a long time now and it couldn’t have come at a better time. No matter what bike you owe, I hope this fires you up to go outside and just ride. |
A pump track and dirt jump machine: the Radon Slush with SR Suntour forks and Vee Tire Co Tires
In Divergence Niels rides his Radon Slush and Radon Jab 10.0, a Meybo BMX Holeshot XXXL and a freestyle BMX. 4 different bikes with their own unique riding styles.
Flowing through beautifully sculpted dirt jumps somewhere in Belgium. Nothing beats this feeling.
Not many hills, let alone descents around in the Netherlands, but we found one that's at least 30 seconds long...
Two parts of the video are filmed in the backyard which consists of a pump track, BMX race track and dirt jumps. Perfectly shaped to match his style of riding. Pic by: @bubaswan
The video is made possible by:
Radon Bikes
Vee Tire Co
SR Suntour
HT Components
Oakley
BMX Papendal
Bensink BMX Gates
No dig no ride! These hands moved quite a bit of dirt over the years and they are excited to experience some Canadian soil. Pics by: @haluxvisions
Pedaling up to about 60km/h right before hitting the rhythm section. No way back from here.
Rider: Niels Bensink
Film and edit: Niek Kimmann
Photography: Niek Kimmann, Halux Visions & Bubaswan
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
I imagine he wouldn't go far