Men of Action: Petr Pilat

A Czech stunt rider recently wowed crowds at Mexico's Vive Puebla Tournament. Petr Pilat powered his motocross up a ramp to back flip over an aeroplane, piloted by American Kirby Chambliss. The image below speaks for itself, but today we're taking a closer look at the Pilat, who has been intimately acquainted with motorcycles since he was 3 years old!

In 2001, at the age of only 10 years old, Pilat started experimenting with Freestyle Motorcross, which was still very new at the time, which more experienced riders were now attempted. But Pilat didn't want to be denied this new thrill, and worked hard to focus his skills. For him, this was a natural evolution of a passion that had started seven years earlier.

'As a kid there was nothing else than a motorcycle in the whole world for me, and if I look at it now, it has not really changed... I breathe for it'

At 14 years old, Pilat pulled off his first backflip on a motocross bike in the famous Sazka arena in Prague. As the youngest person to backflip a bike, he went straight into the Guiness World Records. 

His commitment is undeniable. Like The Wild Geese, Pilat has pursued his dream, sometimes in the face of serious injury. After a stunt went badly wrong in 2004, Pilat was left in a coma and faced with the prospect of not riding again. But like The Wild Geese, who faced many hardships, Pilat was determined to carry on doing what he loved. 

'I decided to fight big time and with the help of everyone who was with me, I got back on my feet. And after half a year, I even got back on my motorcycle'

Pilat's career has seen him competing in many major European competitions and his flame refuses to burn out. 

'I am still serious about it. Every season, I am doing my best to pull out new tricks'

This was particularly true in 2009, when he performed the first tandem backflip - with the Mayor of Prague on the back of the bike! This innovation shows more than just commitment. Pilat wants to make his mark. He wants to redefine boundaries of what can be done on a motorcycle. He wants to mix his commitment with a sense of creativity. Considering his latest stunt, we're looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future.

Check out his tandem backflip below: