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Interviews

20 years/20 questions – Bernard Kerr

TO CELEBRATE THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF DIRT WE’RE SPEAKING TO THE BRANDS AND RIDERS THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WE’LL BE ASKING 20 QUESTIONS ON THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING TO THOSE WHO ARE TRULY IN THE KNOW. CHECK OUT OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK THAT’S AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER HERE.

The earliest photo we have of Bernard Kerr is from eight years ago when he was railing turns on a shopping bike in the Millyards’ back garden (long story). Since then he’s become a genuine World Cup contender and had his break out result at the Val di Sole World Champs.

He was only drafted in last minute as a replacement for Gee Atherton, and had less practice than everyone else, but he still flew into fifth with a run that included one of the most savage whips we’ve seen.


Kerr is one of the most stylish riders on the circuit and his ‘Stoppie Sundays’ have to be seen to be believed. We had a chat about mountain biking past, present and future.
What achievement are you most proud of?
“5th at the 2016 Worlds in Val di Sole.”

Give us a story from your wildest moment in mountain biking?
“I think every time I pass Hecklers’ Rock at the Canadian Open in Whistler!”

What has been your favourite moment of Dirt’s history?
“Probably the first time I had a photo or got my name mentioned in there…Pretty cool after reading it for years!”

How were you first introduced to Dirt?
“All the homies from around where I lived read it!”


What would be the first question you would ask Dirt?
“Can we please bring it back!”


When did you first start mountain biking?
“When I was 12 properly!”

What bike were you on then?
“I had a £99.99 bike from Macro…”

What rider or person has most influenced your career?
“I guess Steve Peat for sure!”

Credit: Sven Martin

What has been your favourite or most memorable race?
“Hard to say, as the end of this season has been my best so far so it’s not far to look back on and remember right now…Otherwise probably Maribor 2009, when I qualified 13th in elite, whilst I was a junior and starting behind Barel at the top! Haha”

Who would you loved to have raced against or ridden with?
“James Stewart”

What’s your opinion on E-Bikes?
“When can I get one?”

What’s your favourite wheel size?
“26 for sure!”

What life lessons has mountain biking taught you?
“Always have fun and never stress out, as its really not going to help you!”


Who doesn’t get the credit they deserve in the industry?
“A lot of people for sure…Mainly the mechanics and designers…They get a lot of shit for new products and sizes, although they are just trying to make the bikes we ride more fun and faster!”

What’s been the most questionable thing to come out of mountain biking?
“Enduro racing?”

What’s been the best track you’ve ridden?
“Rotorua Crankworx dh course or Dirt Merchant to A-line!”

 

How would you change World Cup downhill?
“I would make the series longer and the overall winner would be the World Champion…get rid of the one day race at the end of the year!”


What do you still want to achieve in mountain biking?
“I want to win and keep having fun whilst doing it!”

What do you want to see more of from the Dirt website?
“More cool videos or photo stories!”

What do you hope the next 20 years brings for mountain biking?
“More trails all over the world and more people shredding!”

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