10 Questions

BMXer Donny Robinson

You may have already seen Donny Robinson of Napa featured on ESPN, NBC Sports, OLN, Men’s Fitness magazine and more, but you will soon see him featured as an Olympic competitor in China this summer. Robinson has been a BMX racer ever since he was 6 years old when a friend brought him to the Napa Valley BMX track (now North Bay BMX). Having turned pro in 2002, Robinson reached luminary status in 2006 by winning nearly every race he entered that year and earning such prestige as the #1 World Ranking. In 2007 he won the inaugural USA Cycling BMX National Championship as well as the “Good Luck Beijing” Olympic Test Event in Beijing. Now, at age 24, he is the national front-runner for bringing home the first USA gold medal for BMX racing at its debut in Beijing 2008.  


How long have you been training for the Olympics?
Apparently I’ve been training for it since I started racing 18 years ago. 

What is it that’s kept you riding BMX for so long?
The freedom a bike gives you that allows you to escape reality whenever you are on it; the adrenaline you get from jumping 40-foot jumps while only inches away from your seven opponents—BMX is my passion, and has something to do with my purpose on this earth.

How do you feel when you hear the word “Olympics?”
A combination of opportunity, sacrifice, blessing, tears and greatness comes to mind. My whole life I’ve ridden a BMX bike for me, and I’ve wanted to win for me. It’s not just about me anymore.

Do you ever relax, or are you training 24/7?
Between travel, races, training and media/sponsor events, it seems like my relaxing is done either on planes or in hotel rooms.

What is your favorite thing to do in your hometown?
My favorite thing to do while I’m home is rest. Whether that’s sleeping all day or taking a leisurely ride around town, there’s no place better than Napa to take the stress away.

Do you still live in Napa?
I still say I live in Napa but I’m hardly there anymore. If I had my choice I would never want to leave Napa. Great weather, great people and the general small-town atmosphere make it an awesome place to live.

Since your inclusion with the Olympics, how has your training changed?
USA Cycling and the U.S. Olympic Committee have given us such great resources to help with our training. Top-rate training facilities, masseuses, psychologists—Team USA has unbelievable backing.

As an athlete, how do you want people to perceive you?
I have always been the smallest rider in my BMX classes, but through hard work I have been able to prove everyone wrong when they said I’d never make it as a BMXer. So when people think of me as an athlete, I want them to think of a kid who, despite all odds, did everything he had to do to succeed with his passion.

At this point in your life, what is your dream job?
What I’m doing right now. Not many people get to do what they love for a living. My dream job is the life I have.

Where do you see yourself in 30 years?
Hopefully just being content with what I’m doing. Having a happy family and knowing I lived a great life would be fine by me.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Solano Magazine »