- Xross Team®
Teodor Kabakchiev (20) is a young rider who has been trailing his path through the Hard Enduro world, balancing between training, races, and his studies. He is arguably the best Hard Enduro rider in Bulgaria and has participated in some of the major races in the world like Red Bull Romaniacs, Erzbergrodeo, Sea To Sky, and others. As he says, the biggest problems are not the obstacles in the races, but the lack of sponsors and finance that would allow him to follow his passion to the fullest, but in spite that he still manages to achieve good results. Of course, there are those who help him, such as GoPro Bulgaria, thanks to them he will come to Xross Challenge.
Before we see how he will manage at Tara mountain, it is time to get to know him better.
Hi Teodor, tell us something about yourself, how long you’ve been riding?
Hello, I am Teodor Kabakchiev and I am 20 years old. I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was five years old, but particularly Hard Enduro, I am riding since I was 13 or 14 years old. I had my first international race in 2014.
Is Hard Enduro your first sport, or have you practiced something else before?
I have done many sports – swimming, boxing, volleyball, but none of them took my passion like Enduro.
You participated in some major Hard Enduro races in the world, can you tell us where you have been riding so far? And where do you plan to ride this year?
I have ridden in many places, Red Bull Romaniacs, Erzbergrodeo, and Sea to Sky are the most famous. I have also ridden World SuperEnduro Championship. My calendar depends on my budget so I am not sure yet where I can afford to go and where not.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishments so far?
My biggest accomplishments are third place in King Of The Hill 2018, first place in E-Endurocross in Erzberg, 11th place in Red Bull Sea to Sky, fourth place in World Superenduro in Bilbao.
What can you tell us about the Hard Enduro scene in Bulgaria, is the sport developing?
The scene is developing for sure. There are many guys that progress in every race. The thing is that I am more or less raising the level but there is no other rider like me in Bulgaria, so I don’t have a rival that could push me to the limit.
What do you like the most about Hard Enduro?
About Hard Enduro, I love everything. Maybe my favorite parts are long uphills where you can go flat out and fast sections. But I also enjoy hard technical uphills.
Tell us something about your training program?
From this year it is a bit harder with the training because I am also studying at the university and I spend a lot of time there, but I try to ride two times a week, during other days I like to do boxing or running.
You have sponsors now, right?
Sponsor is a strong word. Yes, I have people that support me, but you know this sport is quite expensive, so I have been struggling a little in recent years.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
We will see, I hope that I stay healthy. Of course, I love winning, I’ll try to do it every time!
This will be your first time at the Xross Challenge race. You are practically in our neighborhood, have you heard about our race before?
I have heard about the race, it looks very well organized and the tracks look interesting. I think it will be a nice race!
What are your expectations from Xross Challenge?
As I said, I like to win and I’ll try to win every time. there will be many good riders, so I will do my best to perform well.
See you at the fifth edition of Xross Challenge from the 15th till the 17th of June.
