Jean Silva originates from Brazil, and it was here that Jean became acquainted with BMX. A few years later Jean emigrated to Portugal, at which point he met David Inês (founder of Sugar Bikes), and Ruben “Trolha” António (Sugar Bikes rider) - Naturally, it was not long until Jean Silva had a full-factory deal riding direct for Sugar Bikes...

... Fast-forward a little to 2010, and Jean Silva is at the forefront of the Mediterranean BMX scene! With a prolific trick-list, signature components in progress, and no shortage of enthusiasm, the future is looking bright for Jean...Very bright!

Full name: Jean Carlos Correa Da Silva
Sponsors: SugarBikes & GuerrilhaBMX
D.O.B: 09/07/1988 (22 years old)
Place of residence: Leiria, PT

Hello Jean. Let us start by setting the scene... What was it like growing up in Brazil?
Growing up in Brazil was very nice, the climate is very good, I could ride every day and meet a lot of bmx’ers there - Although I only rode for four months before moving to Portugal!

What was it that attracted you to BMX? And what was the catalyst for your riding career?
Always loved the rush! Watching other people riding and trying to imagine what they where feeling… I just wanted to feel the same thing! The kick-start was watching “Diogo Canina” (Brazilian rider) on a sports channel, pulling a flip-whip - I told my mother what my future held; “One day I’ll do that aswell!” and she totally backed my riding from the start.


How would you describe your riding style?
Street, park, just flowing… Or sometimes I do many tricks, it just depends of my mood that day!

Later on in life you moved to Portugal – What made you want to move to Portugal?
My father was going there to work and invited me to go with him; I also knew the bmx terrain was better than that of Brazil… So I went.

How does the Portuguese riding scene compare to that of Brazil?
Brazil is very big with lots of good riders and spots to ride - In Portugal there’s also many good riders and excellent spots; but here we benefit from better access to Europe; So more contests and quality skateparks… It’s also much safer to travel here, when compared to Brazil.

Describe a typical day’s riding for yourself?
And who do you ride with on a daily basis? I ride with David and the locals. The day usually goes a little something like this; breakfast, fix my bike, text the girls, settle a place to ride with the guys, pedal to the spot, pull a whip - Then I’m ready to ride all day long!



What’s your perspective on the contest scene at the moment? And which ones are you planning to enter in 2011?
I’ll go to all the national events I can. Love the RatosJAM, because it’s fun, all my friends will be riding. Internationally, I’d like to go to the Simpel Session events, Fise and RebelJAM, if there’s another! I’d like to go to other contests outside of Portugal, to meet and ride with many good riders, from all around the world.

Are you a a big fan of filming for web videos?
Not really, my only edit was made by David - It even had an appropriate name “Better late then never”, because it took so long to realise. Lately I’ve been making some clips for a new edit, and one day it will be finished!

What’s best for you; contests, road trips or quiet sessions at your local spot?
Travels and the every day local riding

You don’t appear to be afraid of the big moves (flairs, etc) - How do you set about learning the big tricks?
I do get afraid, but I’ll sometimes improvise, in order to pass this fear barrier – For example, I’ll affix mattresses to the MDF boards at the “House of Ratos” (local ghetto park)… I have no other way!

What’s your situation with injuries? Right now I have a dis-located finger, the rest are healed!

What’s your current bike setup like?
Sugar frame (21”), long rear (14.25”), prototype bar 9” rise, 30” wide, prototype fork, rear brake no gyro, KHE tires, 25/9 gear, 2 peace 19mm crank, plastic pedals and pivotal seat.



You’re rumored to be working on some signature bars and forks for 2011- Would you like to talk about these?
Yes, David asked me if I would like to make some parts, with the specs I wanted and I said yes; they’re going to be called “GRINGO” it was the first name that came into my head. Back where I’m from we use the term “Gringos” for all foreign good bmx’ers and quality bike parts, so Gringo it is!

Do you have anything else in the pipeline for 2011?
Probably go to Brazil, visit my mum, travel and ride with my old friends.

Are there any new riders on your scene right now that deserve a mention?
There are a few; Welyton “Chupeta” and Hugo Chaparral - They are good riders and I’ve progressed with them.

Any last words, shout-outs, etc?
Be friendly to others, and don’t let your ego get the better of you, just because you have this or that! Thanks to my parents, they always encouraged me to ride bmx. And David always backed me up, and still continues to this very day… Not forgetting Mommy Elena (my 2nd mom), she’s helped me in a lot of bad times…

Thanks for your time Jean...

Questions/Introduction by: Chris.W.Smith
Translation by: David Inês at Sugar Bikes.