Interview: Pocket rocket Ike Klaassen
11 year old, Dutch born, South African based, champion in the making, Ike Klaassen just came back from his 2015 Eurotrip where he became the under 13 Downhill Champion (video below). We caught up with Ike to find out a bit more about this young pinner as he took us around his very own personal DH track, on their farm just outside Stellenbosch.
Name - Ike Klaassen
Age - 11
Home Town - Stellenbosch
Sponsors - Santa Cruz, POC, DVO, Bos Sport and 6D Helmets
When did you first get introduced to DH racing and when was your first official race?
When I was 4 we were in Switzerland and I was riding my 16 inch bike around. Me and my dad went up the ski lift and down a gravel road with a full face helmet on. I didn’t know it was called downhill but I liked it. Then when I was 8, I heard about a downhill race from a motocross friend taking place the next weekend in Jonkershoek. I took my 20 inch Scott and my motocross kit and just entered the race after me and my dad walked the track first. At the start all the guys were quiet and when I went they all started screaming. I flew over the handle bars after 10 meters but still won the race. Since then I really love downhill.
How did you find the level of racing and the DH tracks from overseas vs South Africa?
The level overseas is much higher - all the boys are fast. I like it because there are so many kids and it's nice to make friends with them. You need to have a very good run to win a race and the tracks are very steep with lots of roots. Also it rains more often so the conditions change a lot.
You've been with Santa Cruz for a while now. How have they helped you to setup your custom DH bike? Will you be staying with them for 2016?
Two years ago I was on a Commencal 24 inch downhill bike. The mechanics of Santa Cruz looked at the size of a small V10 with 24 inch wheels and said that it was possible so they gave me the frame to race. As I am light (29kg), DVO helped to set up the fork - thinner oil and all shims out but 1. The shock is the Vivid Air which we run at its lowest air pressure so the bike is very smooth. As I won the championship, Santa Cruz gave me a new V10 and I am now tall enough to ride 26 inch wheels. They roll much better so it is faster and it also gives me more tyre options, especially when it is wet.
Which DH track (local or overseas) is your favorite and why?
My favorite track in South Africa is the track at our farm (Vuurberg). It has steep sections, big berms, rocks and all sort of jumps. The best track in Europe was Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis - nice flow and a very fast ski-lift.
Which pro riders do you look up to most?
I look up to Loic Bruni, Troy Brosnan, Greg Minnaar, Josh Bryceland and Steve Peat. My favorite rider is Greg Minnaar because he is intelligent, sporty, has great sportsmanship and he is cool and kind.
What are your plans for next year in terms of racing DH?
Motocross has always been my first sport, since I've been racing from the age of 5. But if an MX National clashes next year with a downhill race, I might choose the downhill.
Check out Ike's winning run in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
MENTIONS: @esphotography
 |
Name - Ike Klaassen
Age - 11
Home Town - Stellenbosch
Sponsors - Santa Cruz, POC, DVO, Bos Sport and 6D Helmets
When did you first get introduced to DH racing and when was your first official race?
When I was 4 we were in Switzerland and I was riding my 16 inch bike around. Me and my dad went up the ski lift and down a gravel road with a full face helmet on. I didn’t know it was called downhill but I liked it. Then when I was 8, I heard about a downhill race from a motocross friend taking place the next weekend in Jonkershoek. I took my 20 inch Scott and my motocross kit and just entered the race after me and my dad walked the track first. At the start all the guys were quiet and when I went they all started screaming. I flew over the handle bars after 10 meters but still won the race. Since then I really love downhill.
 |
 |
 |
How did you find the level of racing and the DH tracks from overseas vs South Africa?
The level overseas is much higher - all the boys are fast. I like it because there are so many kids and it's nice to make friends with them. You need to have a very good run to win a race and the tracks are very steep with lots of roots. Also it rains more often so the conditions change a lot.
You've been with Santa Cruz for a while now. How have they helped you to setup your custom DH bike? Will you be staying with them for 2016?
Two years ago I was on a Commencal 24 inch downhill bike. The mechanics of Santa Cruz looked at the size of a small V10 with 24 inch wheels and said that it was possible so they gave me the frame to race. As I am light (29kg), DVO helped to set up the fork - thinner oil and all shims out but 1. The shock is the Vivid Air which we run at its lowest air pressure so the bike is very smooth. As I won the championship, Santa Cruz gave me a new V10 and I am now tall enough to ride 26 inch wheels. They roll much better so it is faster and it also gives me more tyre options, especially when it is wet.
 |
 |
 |
Which DH track (local or overseas) is your favorite and why?
My favorite track in South Africa is the track at our farm (Vuurberg). It has steep sections, big berms, rocks and all sort of jumps. The best track in Europe was Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis - nice flow and a very fast ski-lift.
Which pro riders do you look up to most?
I look up to Loic Bruni, Troy Brosnan, Greg Minnaar, Josh Bryceland and Steve Peat. My favorite rider is Greg Minnaar because he is intelligent, sporty, has great sportsmanship and he is cool and kind.
What are your plans for next year in terms of racing DH?
Motocross has always been my first sport, since I've been racing from the age of 5. But if an MX National clashes next year with a downhill race, I might choose the downhill.
 |
 |
Check out Ike's winning run in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
 | Having raced MX and downhill in South Africa for 5 years the idea came to escape the winter and combine the European summer holiday with racing overseas. Ike, now only 11 years old, was born and based in Stellenbosch SA but has the Dutch nationality - so an easy call to start it all in Holland. The first 3 weeks were MX only and it was a great experience to practice on different tracks in Holland and Belgium. Ike managed to pull of a 6th, 5th and his very first international MX win in Venray, Holland. We then dropped the bikes and headed to the Alps. Champery (Portes du Soleil) Switzerland is MTB heaven and it was now up with the ski lift - very smooth compared to South African trucks where you're always ready to jump out for dear life. First race was the IXS Rookies Cup in Brandnertal, Austria. Everything went wrong - rain, mud, thunderstorms, held-ups at seeding, 24 inch tires suited to the dry SA conditions, you name it. On it went to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis for the next Rookies Cup on Saturday and the big one on Sunday - the unofficial World Championship. Lots of riding the whole week, great bike-park, and this on 26 inch wheels borrowed from the local shop. Ike then went on to win the under 13 Championships. - Santa Cruz South Africa |
MENTIONS: @esphotography
Author Info:
Member since Dec 20, 2011
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42352 views
42352 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
5 Comments
- 2 0
cptmayhem
(Oct 12, 2015 at 1:54)
What a little ripper! This kid is going places for sure.
- 1 0
Gibatronic
(Dec 3, 2016 at 11:22)
so awesome! just keep shredding Ike!
- 1 0
chuk2rs
(Oct 9, 2015 at 19:14)
I was almost hoping he was Super T's kid.
- 1 0
HairyLegs
(Oct 12, 2015 at 4:20)
Flipping awesome!
- 1 0
headshot
FL (Oct 12, 2015 at 5:03)
Go Ike - our next GM?
Login or Sign Up