Flatland Rims

His patented style,the “Ucchie Spin”,is one of the most sought-after techniques in the realm of BMX Flatland biking the world over. Yet BMX flatland rider Yohei ‘Ucchie’ Uchino has no haughty air about him,as he goes about gently explaining techniques to 11 participants at a workshop in the city. Emphasising the style of riding,the speed and shifting of body weight,Ucchie,as he prefers to be addressed,says,“The workshop will allow me to teach a few basic tricks associated with flatland biking to aspiring sportspersons.” The three-day workshop is part of the Redbull Under My Wing initiative,being held at Sinhgad Technical Education Society.

With a translator in tow,Ucchie looks at ease with a BMX bike,his protective gear and a huge grin. “It is more pleasant here. There is less chaos as compared to the metro cities,” says Ucchie,who shot to international fame after his Ucchie Spin in 2003 — a double flip on a BMX bike. Ever since,he has been participating and winning competitions,including the World Championship Voodoo Jam in 2008. He was the first Japanese to do so. But he started BMX biking accidentally after landing at a BMX biking event instead of a skateboarding competition,he says.

Talking about the Ucchie Spin,he says it was developed,perfected and depicted almost a decade ago. “The audience wants something new and in order to develop a new trick you also need more time. The world championships usually requires back-to-basics practices rather than developing new tricks,but there is something new that is coming up soon,” he adds.

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Talking about the workshop,Ucchie says,“One of the first things I am doing is individually gauging their skills. There is a lot of enthusiasm here,along with talent and potential. The only problem is a lack of proper guidance and knowledge. A three-day workshop is a short time to teach or learn anything but we have worked on a few basic skills,which are important for the sport.”

He mentions that infrastructure is not a major issue when it comes to flatland biking. “You just need a piece of flat land,and by flat,I mean no bumps anywhere. Also the bikers need to be taught about the rules and regulations of the sport. These are the basics. I’d say that in about five years,we would have athletes from here ready to compete on the global arena,” says the 32-year-old,before heading off to the flatlands.