This past weekend marked the beginning of the 2009 Performance Gravel Tour. Although Saturday was mad windy at OWC, the competition still went on. Amateur and progressing local pros threw down their best in the conditions and a Gravel Tour Stop 1 champion was found, up and coming Johnny Tobaben. Johnny "Stoke" is an Atlanta native that now resides part time in Orlando and part time back home. He's a 17 year old but seriously has his act together. He's on par not only with his riding but socially as well. This kid can talk about anything to anyone which is a quality that not many 17 year old boys posses. But don't get me wrong, he's still a young gun, consumed mostly with the simple but made overly complicated facts of riding and girls. Read on for a little insight into the latest Gravel Tour winner, Johnny Tobaben.

You won the Outlaw division of the Gravel Tour stop #1, congrats!
Did you think you could win this event before your run?
I was competing against myself so it didn' (TM)t matter how I did as far as the other people. If I did well, great. Winning was a nice bonus though too.
What was in your contest pass that sealed the deal?
The Jt Poke ( a bat wing poke that' (TM)s semi-off axis), grab heel 5, crow 5 (fall), whirlybird (almost out the front but saved it), toe 5, tail glide (almost died), crow 5, back mobe. I was so excited after landing those that I forgot about the double up and caught my nose on the roller and fell like a beginner across the wake.
Tell us about the event and the vibe of the day on Saturday?
I think the Gravel tour is an awesome contest because it' (TM)s beyond the pro tour where all ages can get involved which is nice. I love seeing little kids, girls, older guys running around with their board and just excited to ride. It' (TM)s good for everybody.
Who was your big competition on Saturday?
Daniel Powers and Brad Spencer were all in the running. I honestly didn' (TM)t think I was going to win. Daniel rode really well and Nick G rode well too. Seriuosly, I rode against myself and did what I wanted to do. Coach Glenn Fletch sent me a text earlier in the week and told me I had to land a crow 5 and back mobe, so that' (TM)s what I was working for all week. Winning made all the hard work worth it.
What have you been doing to train/ride well this season?
This season I' (TM)ve been getting hurt more than ever before. I' (TM)ve been stretching, doing yoga, lifting weights, riding three shorter sets a day. New to this year is a full body ice bath for 30 minutes a day. It' (TM)s excruciating, but it works.
What are you goals for 2009?
My goal this year is to win the Pro Junior Men tour. I know that it won' (TM)t be easy and that I will have to work but that' (TM)s why it' (TM)s my goal and I' (TM)m very willing to work for it.
I also want to focus on my freeriding and style behind that. It' (TM)d be great to get in the magazines this year and show off some of my unique style.
Plan on dominating the 2nd stop of the Gravel Tour?
How could I not ride in it. I would definitely like to do better than I did in the last contest and if that allows me to win, than perfect.
Would you consider yourself more of a contest rider or a freerider?
In the past, I would have said that I was more of a contest rider and that' (TM)s how I trained. But now, I' (TM)m trying to develop and progress at both. There are not many that are both and the people that can do both are the most successful.
When you' (TM)re not riding, what are you up to?
Chasing girls. Thinking about girls. And chasing girls. Maybe a little school work.
Aren' (TM)t you lucky that your parents let you live in the hood of Clear Lake, ride, and live with friends. Are you behaving over there?
Yes, I am. My parents and I both know who I belong to. I almost lost my life 4 years ago. I will not take my second opportunity at life for granted.
How' (TM)s school? Tell me you' (TM)re getting straight A' (TM)s.
It' (TM)s good, considering I do two hours of work a month. Haha, I teach myself so everything that I do, I definitely grasp. My school mentality is somewhat like a turtle, slow but consistent.

Any last words?
Quick little thank you to God for giving me life, Dad for teaching me what hard work is, and of course, the rest of my family, my best bud Brad makes it possible for me to be down here and coach Glen Fletcher.
If you believe you will receive if you doubt, you will go without.
Johnnytobaben.com Check it out.