By:
Sarah
Oulman
CLERMONT, Florida – Aldon Baker, one of
the most well-known and successful trainers within the Supercross community, is
currently training several of the sport’s top riders at his facility, which is
located in the Clermont area. In an interview at this training facility, Baker
gave a glimpse into what it is actually like to train these professional
riders.
When I asked Baker about his journey
to becoming a trainer in his field, he explained that he initially trained
individuals, specifically bicyclists, using cardio and strength conditioning
techniques. Baker’s cycling career brought him from his home in South Africa to
America, and once in the United States, the brand Oakley steered him towards
working with motorcycles.
Baker also explained that his elite
training program did not come together quickly. According to the celebrity
trainer, “The [conditioning and training] developed over time… It took 17 years
to create the full training package”. He utilized his training from his
own professional career in cycling and was able to accomplish a great feat, as
he is now both well-known and respected throughout his profession.
For many in the Motocross and
Supercross communities, it is common knowledge that many of the professional riders
train and live in either California or Florida. In most other places, the
conditions wouldn’t allow the riders to constantly train, but in this sport, it
is crucial that the athletes are always training and staying in peak condition.
During the interview, Baker addressed the facility’s location in Central
Florida and explained that the biggest advantage of the area is the weather. “Florida
has good clay for tracks, and the riders can train all year round,” he stated. In
addition, these professionals prefer Central Florida for several other reasons.
Baker shed light on the fact that one major benefit to training in Central
Florida is that there is an international airport close to the facility. He
explained that “around 90% of races are located on the
East Coast,” and with
the
airport in such close proximity, the location is perfect for the riders.
Aldon is currently training several of Supercross’
most elite riders, many of whom are currently claiming the top spots in the
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. These riders include stars such as
Ryan Dungey, Marvin Musquin, Zach Osborne, and Jason Anderson.
A press release from Racer X Online in 2014 explains that Baker has also been the “athletic
trainer to champions past and present like Ricky Carmichael, James
Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, Ken Roczen, Adam Cianciarulo, and more…” (“First
Look…”). Ryan Dungey, pictured above on the far right, is currently runner-up
in the point standings for the 450’s in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Championship; while Marvin Musquin, pictured on the far left, is following
close behind in 3rd position.
For those who aren’t as familiar
with Supercross as other readers may be, this sport can be defined as “a
motorcycle race held in a stadium on a dirt track having hairpin turns and high
jumps”. To succeed in Supercross, riders must consistently stay
on top of their game, train as much as possible, and be committed to the sport
itself.
Consider the fact that the Supercross
races are widely televised and watched by many from across the U.S. and the
world. These races attract “nearly one million fans in live attendance,” as
well as engage with “10 million viewers around the globe weekly”. Once you know that, it is pretty incredible to think that some of
the most celebrated riders live and train right here in Clermont. These top
athletes have thousands of followers across their social media accounts. However,
if you were to run into one of them in Starbucks or Wawa, would you recognize
them? For those who follow Supercross or are involved personally in the sport,
the answer would probably be yes. While this may be true, for the vast majority
of those living in the area, the chances are that these superstar riders would
go undetected.
Lastly, I thought it was important to ask
Baker about the types of riders he accepts to train at his facility. The
renowned trainer revealed that, when he chooses who to work with, he looks for
“an individual with a good work ethic, consistency, talent, and ability". Baker went on to explain that his program is extremely difficult, and
in order to succeed in both the training and competitions, riders must be able
to eliminate any distractions and be motivated enough to give the sport their
all.
Whether you have heard of Supercross
before or this is your first time learning about the sport, I definitely
encourage you to watch one of the races on television or attend one, if
possible. The riders work exceptionally hard to compete well in the races, and
so much more goes into the process than just simply getting on a motorcycle.
Trainers, such as Aldon Baker, push the athletes to do their best every single
day, and hopefully, you were able to get a glimpse into the lives of these
hidden Supercross stars, many of whom live right here in Clermont. Although the
championship is currently coming to a close, there are still a few more
opportunities to watch these races in the following weeks. You can tune-in to
the races on FS1, FS2, ESPN, FOX Sports GO, and more. For more information regarding the Monster Energy
AMA Supercross Championship or how to get involved, check out the Supercross Live website here: http://www.supercrosslive.com/.
Lake Sumter’s SGA officers had a few words to speak about this
current situation. South Lake’s SGA President, Kaitlin Canterbury, stated, “This
new administration has shut down Leesburg’s most popular Halloween House event.
This was done under the claim that an inflatable is too much of a liability.
However, Leesburg has seamlessly pulled of this event for the past eight years.
Later, students performing in Leesburg SGA’s Battle of the Bands were required
to carry insurance. Vendors who deliver goods would be required to have their
car insurance checked before the delivery was made in case a student were to be
hit in the parking lot. It is only a matter of time until this reaches the
South Lake campus and affects not only SGA, but also all of our student
organizations. These new policies
greatly interfere with the way both campuses have conducted events. The
administration also has not communicated with the South Lake campus regarding
these new policies, instead telling Leesburg SGA to notify the South Lake SGA.
There is no dialogue with the students when communication with the students is
a key factor to the success of our college.”
