Kristijan Mrak - Another sensation from Croatia

I met up with Kristijan to talk about his recent video, his achievements on a bike, his plans for the future and of all things bike and non-bike related. He also explains why some of the tricks in his recent video look kind of sketchy.

Video, photos and interview inside,Here's his video that got VOD:

Kristijan Mrak - Season 2009 edit

by lukau

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Who are you and what are you doing here?
Well, my name is Kristijan Mrak and I'm from Zagreb, Croatia. I'm 18 years old and I'm here because my very first video in my 6 year "career" has become Video of the Day recently. I hope it didn't let you down.


First clip in the edit: how do you get the bike to stand up like that? Also, how many tries did it take you to land that "line"?
Actually, I can get my bike to stand up like that at any time of day. It's easy. You just need to try it a few times. As for the "line", in the first try I managed to get it up, but I didn't have any speed for the tailwhip. It's difficult to get it to stand up and pedal immediately. I'm not that strong. (Laughs) Second and third try went well. We did another angle of it that didn't turn out as good as the first one though.

What is your current ride? What parts do you change/break the most (except for grips and tubes)?
I currently ride a Norco 4Hun that I bought on sale from one of the local bike shops in Zagreb (Markoprojekt). It's definitely the best bike I've tried up to now. It's the only frame that's lasted me a whole season. I mostly break frames and pedals. The other parts are tougher to break. I also ride a Zion Ace BMX bike.


How come you're also riding a BMX? You thanked Zion Bike Co. for the support. What's up with that? How do you feel about the whole BMX vs MTB hate?
I've been asked this question a lot of times. First, I really want to thank Mislav Streicher (owner of Zion bikes) because, even if I am a mountain biker, he always supported me and took me to contests with the rest of the team. He and the rest of the team also succeeded in convincing me to ride a BMX, so I decided I'd give it a try. Mislav hooked me up with a beautiful baby blue Zion Ace which I'm really satisfied with. Expect a BMX edit from me soon.

As for the beef between BMXers and MTBers, I had the pleasure to ride with some of the best pros in Croatia and outside of it (ex. Brad Simms, Senad Grosic, etc.) and I have to say that there is no real hate between riders. It's just an internet thing. A bike is still a bike: the size of the wheels doesn't really matter.


What's up with the two sketchy flips in your video?
(Laughs) Excellent question. Those were the first two backflips in my life. I tried them a few times in a foampit, though they still came out pretty sketchy. Honestly, I wanted to try them after I saw two MTB friends (Leo and Goran from Umag, Croatia) at a contest. They were doing them flawlessly and I told to myself that I wanted to try them on the "real thing" as well. I was kind of tired of foampits (Laughs). I followed Leo's speed and eventually backflipped (it's the first backflip in the vid). I've been told that backflips are the easiest tricks, even easier than 360's because there is no real technique behind them. It's just courage to throw yourself upside down. Although, I do feel a lot more comfortable doing 360 tailwhips. I know, I'm really weird.

The second backflip was my last trick in my final run at Pannonian Challenge (which was 2 hours after the first flip). I also attempted an X-up in that flip, though it didn't look as good as planned. I looked really really unsafe in the air, but I felt great while I was doing it. I don't know if that's just me being weird or if it's the Red Bull or something else. (Laughs)


What's your favorite trick?
I'm pretty sure you can see in the edit that tailwhips are my favorite trick. Mostly because I thought I'd never learn them. Learning them is painful, though when you learn them you can try all kinds of variations. It is also very fun and interesting once you perfect it.


What tricks are you currently learning?
I don't really learn tricks. I see tricks as a form of having fun, so they practically just "come to me" somehow. Tricks on my wish list are flairs, double whips, superman seat grabs, trying to improve my 360 toboggan to barspins and so forth. I'd also like to try riding some bigger dirt jumps, though it becomes a problem when you don't have sponsors to pay for your trips. Oh, and I'd also like to properly learn backflips. I was so excited when I saw that my first video ever got VOD on the biggest bike portal on the planet. Thank you Luka for all your efforts during filming/editing. Thanks to Pinkbike as well.


Random question: Why is your hair getting gray?
(Laughs) This is a tough question! I don't know. Maybe because I'm getting old? The explanation I received from Dr. Tesic is "brusquely splitting from something". I have no idea.

Why the hell were you weightlifting at a comp?
I don't know exactly why. There were weights there because one of the photographers brought them. As for why I was using them, I guess I was just trying to get some attention from the cameras. (Laughs)

Back on-topic: Any tricks you just can't learn?
A nice, smooth, not-over rotated backflip. And tuck no handers. My suicides are dialed though.


Favorite place you rode at and why?
Klagenfurt indoor, Senad Grosic's indoor park in Vienna, dirt in Pècs, Hungary, Osijek. Basically, everything that's outside my hometown. My biggest wish would be going to the Emmering indoor park in Munich, Germany. All in all, I'd say that the best park I rode at is the one in Osijek. I'm always 100% into riding when I'm there and there were times when I rode there for about 9 hours a day. Also, the locals are very friendly and the park has spawned a generation of great riders.


Barspins or Tailwhips?
Can I have both? I like tailwhips a little better, but it is just temporary.


How's the riding scene in your country? What do you like and what do you dislike about it?
The scene in Croatia is quite small, but that's not the biggest problem. The problem is that we're not as united as we should be, there is not a big group of riders but there are only smaller ones (sects, clans, crews) that don't necessarily agree with each other. We also don't have a lot of skateparks and/or dirtparks, so we have to travel a lot abroad to ride something better (Italy, Slovenia, Austria, ...).


What are your plans for the future?
I'll try to attend a park contest in Brno, Czech Republic, dirt contests in Hungary, all the local contests/jam sessions on the Balkan peninsula, film a few more web edits. I'd also like to find a bike sponsor, so that I can spend my money for traveling to the places I'd like to ride. So many plans, so little time. Though I hope I'll realize them all.

Contests or jam sessions?
I prefer jam sessions. It feels as if I'm training and not like a real contest. It makes me less nervous and more productive. I don't really mind contests either...


Any sports other than MTB/BMX riding?
Sky diving. I'd also love to ride some FMX Motocross more often (thanks Dr.Twins TEŠIĆ). I snowboard in the winter. I do like all kinds of sports.


Last question: 5 reasons why a company would want you as their team rider:
Another tough one. I don't like to brag about myself... Well, let's see:
5) There aren't many riders in this part of Europe (Balkan) and I think I'm in the top 5 for sure (I try to be modest, but you won't let me - Laughs).
4) I'm willing to accept their advice and suggestions and I'm willing to do my best with my abilities
3) I'm tenacious and willing to achieve as much as I can.
2) I have made it in the Top 2 in every contest I have entered during the 2009 season.
1) I'm very friendly and I learn fast. (Laughs)

Thanks to everyone who's supported me throughout the years, a huge shout out to the photographers/videographers that have been working with me and to Pinkbike for giving me some exposure. Thank you very much!


Links to the galleries of the photographers/videographers:

-Milan Kaboom Krkac
-Vjekoslav Martincevic
-Filip Brencic
-Luka Travas
-Luka Urbac

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
Luka Urbac