#22: Dominique Aegerter – Daily effort to make your dreams come true

Podcast with Host: Jai Shukla & Guest: Dominique Aegerter

Q1 – When did you first get into racing and get on your first bike?

Dominique Aegerter started at 3 years old. he usually rides in front of his parent’s workshop in Switzerland. Domi’s first race with Motor Cross was the start in his career.

Q2 – How did you manage to secure your first sponsors and the get funding that you required joining and racing?

His parents always supported him by coming to his training and races. It wasn’t easy to find a sponsor but Dominique Aegerter father helped him in finding some sponsors towards his career.

Q3 – In the Portuguese Grand Prix – how did that opportunity manage to get secured by yourself?

At 13 he changed from Motor Cross to Road Racing. In the German Championship, Dominique Aegerter came 2nd.
One team from the championship saw his riding – He got access to the Grand Prix.

Q4 – What are some hurdles you overcame?

As a Swish Rider, the journey may be difficult to be a professional rider. There’s no race track as yet for training and to develop your riding style. From the federation, you don’t tend to get a lot of help. You need to be strong mentally – to have supportive parents and sponsors.

Q5 – Were your parents ever afraid that you would be in a risky situation or were they always supportive?

My father was always pushing me in a positive way and my mother, on the other hand, is always fearful but always supporting me. My brother always lends a helping hand.

Q6 – What is it like at the moment you realize you’re about to crash?

When the tire starts to slide, you try to save the slide. When you eventually crash, you move your arms to your chest.

Q7 – Are you taught those skills of what to do in a crash?

You train psychically and mentally to get fit so that you are fully concentrated if any crashing takes place; you will be able to manage better.

Q8 – What is your mindset towards a crash?

I’m not afraid to crash because I ride in a safety track and I’m trained. I wear an air pack system that effective in helping me prepare for crashes.

Q9 – How has your career changed over the last decade and also in the industry?

Every year there has been a lot of progress. I ride different bikes from different companies. 2013-2014 were my best seasons.

Q10 – What are the things you work on for training and to be able to concentrate?

I do a lot of Cycling, Running, Gym – I also do Motor Cross.

Q11 – What about Simulations?

You have to prepare yourself mentally when you’re on the track.

Q12 – On the day of the race, what do you do to prepare for it?

In the morning, eat breakfast, get warm-up at tracks. I stay focus when I’m changing in my room, then do a little more warm-up.

Q13 – Is that when you play out the simulations in your head?

I mostly think about what I will do in the race.

Q14 – What are some of the roles your teammates play while you’re on the track – how do they influence the way you race on track?

We prepare everything before the race. We can see the billboard when we reach the Start/Finish line. When we cross the finish line the number of laps, gaps, how many riders behind you on the Billboard.

Q15 – How has your experience changed the way you tackle a race?

It’s much easier when you start in the front row. I’m learning each race and this helps me to improve myself to be better. There are factors you need to do to be able to be in the lead.

Q16 – Throughout this journey – where do you find that source of guidance from?

I learn every race and try to get help from persons, also mentors. I also try to learn by myself and from teammates. I take the information and see what works best for me.

Q17 – How many times do you watch back your own race?

Most of the times, for example, I watch last year race to know which lap time and position. Normally after that race, I watch the race of this season.

Q18 – The whole mental training aspect – tell us more about that?

I go to the track to prepare myself in my approach towards riding. I try to be as close as possible to my last race lap time.

Q19 – You say you have a trainer – what things do you go through with them?

I train one time per week with my psychical trainer. He gives me the training plan of what to do in the rest of the week. The mental training is carried out one time per month.

Q20 – From your mental training session with your trainer, what are you taught to improve for next time? Can you share something so that the audience can apply something that you have learned in your sessions where you’re getting trained mentally?

It helps to always stay positive and be you. The training session helps to motivate push you into working harder.

Q21 – You took a trip to Brazil – what was that like?

I went to Brazil to visit and sightseeing. It was a great experience.

Q22 – What message would you like to leave the fans who are listening?

Enjoy what you do and try your best.