Going into 2011 you had several aims – top 5 BDS and top 25 World Cup. You pretty much got there?
Almost, there’s still more in the tank, I want to be way more consistent in 2012, that’s high on my list and I feel I’ve worked well on that this winter. You want to be able to pull those results on a bad day.
A strong end to the season World Cup wise?It wasn’t bad but still nowhere near where I want to be, the final two rounds were more in my flavour of track styles, but it was again ‘so close, yet so far’ kind of thing. I felt great after national champs, I was carrying a lot of confidence but I recognised something I had to change for 2012 to push my riding on. I don’t look at them results and think, “yeah I’m happy with them”.
You must now believe in your ability to get into the very top flight?Yeah absolutely, I can’t imagine any World Cup rider is any different, you have to believe and I believe in myself, I couldn’t imagine paying thousands of pounds to race and doing shit week in week out. The gap is getting bigger now between a factory team and a privateer, but that isn’t a bad thing, the sport is growing and teams are investing more to win. It makes it harder for us guys, but there’s only one option and that’s to get on with it and put it to them on the track.
Are you happy where you are at right now considering you have been dogged by injury?I’m happy now, but looking back on what I’ve been through the last couple of years I would say I regret a lot of the decisions I’ve made and that was from listening to others. Even just talking about it now makes me mad, but I’ve learned from it, that’s all you can do, you have to move on, now I make my own decisions, what’s best for me, I’m here for me at the end of the day, so there are still many positives to take from it.
Would you say you walk the line of risk too close sometimes?Ha ha maybe, but that’s just who I am, I can’t help it, no matter what it is, if there is a challenge I have to give it a go no matter what the consequences.
Pro Electrician/Racer? How do you describe yourself?The world’s fastest Electrician.
Lets talk sponsorship. What’s the deal? How is your World Cup season funded?I get most my parts, but then I fund my whole season, every single race I do I pay for entries, fuel, flights, food you name it.
Last season, 2011 you paid for a lot of your equipment?
Yeah a few things, I had to buy some new forks and all my drive chain, it’s not cool when you tear off a mech! I think that’s it, oh and some wheels and a shock. But I also have a lot of great guys behind me who believe in me and continue to support me, I can’t thank them enough although there probably running out of patience so I better shape my ideas up for 2012. Although I have to buy some stuff, it could be a whole lot worse, that’s the way I see it.
This will be your third season on Mythic/Banshee?Yeah going into the third year with Banshee. Time flies.
Bronze medal National Championships, top 30 World Cup, surely you don’t want to be paying for kit?Not really, but then again there’s only one thing to do about it, I just need to get out there do as many races as I can and get some great results. I could sit here and whine all day but it isn’t going to change anything, big results equals forks, shocks and drive train.
How do you work things out during the season? For example there must be work commitments both ways – from electrician to racer. It must be difficult to balance out?Yeah sometimes it isn’t the best, but it’s the rough with the smooth. I’m on a good working spree at the moment, my boss is real good with me, I really couldn’t ask for anymore to be fair. The good thing about it is when you’re sat there working away and you think the top boys are out riding having a blast it fires you up a lot and keeps you hungry.
You like to get back home after a race?Yeah, I just can’t wait to get back to work! Seriously though, everything I need is here, I have a lot of great people around me, my family, my girlfriend and her family and my friends, everyone supports me so much we have a good set up at home.
Do you find the balance of wiring and racing suits you?It has to. I’ve got the balance pretty good at the moment and I feel good in myself.
You don’t drink?Nope, I’ve never had a drink in my life. Let’s hope that’s what it takes to win soon then I will be laughing. Can you believe I get called “boring” for not drinking!? Sorry if the highlight of my life isn’t Friday night.
You’ve never been out in your hometown Keswick? Ever?Not really, suppose I am boring now aren’t I!? I do get about just in my own little circles, it’s pretty tight knit at home there is a small group of us and all we do is ride, we don’t do much else.
Well I’d have thought you’d make an effort with the God festival. OK, what’s happening bike wise around here? Winlatter, crazy big booters, all mountain adventure, motocross. Where does downhill sit amongst all that?It sits in pretty nicely somewhere amongst all that. I would say the majority of my riding is DH, I won’t ride XC now till the end of January and I last rode my MX bike in October, with work and all that you make the most of your weekends so it’s just been downhill all the way and the odd motorcycle club trial.
I guess there’s some continuity, that bloody riding kit of yours for one.Touch it and you could easy get an electric shock! Don’t worry though I’ve toned down a little for next year.
What’s the social highlight of the Keswick season?The God convention for one, Victorian fair, Mountain Festival, Beer Festival, Jazz Festival there’s loads! If it’s something shit, Keswick has a festival for it.
What’s your problem with Loweswater Gold?Ha ha ha I was actually going to post you a keg down for New Year, but I couldn’t handle that dirty substance near me. I think my MX bike would run on it. Volatile stuff.
From the man who confesses to being “Fire breathing Italian style from Lakes?” What else?Italian Stallion mate, have you been on the Gold? I stole that one off my good mate Balboa. What else, I don’t know really, keep working hard, keep working on live circuits, keeps you sharp you know and I fancy a stab at the Rampage thing, do some hucks and one leggers, pull some strings? Sign me up…
I’m sure everyone would agree it would be great to see Brayton move one stage further.Massive thanks to Joe Weir at Honister. Fore more information on visits to the slate mine or Via Ferrata contact [email protected]
