20 Questions – Innes Graham

What achievement are you most proud of?
“I’ve had a few achievements I’m quite proud of to be honest. I think it would be between standing up on the Junior world cup podium after struggling a lot in 2013, getting that top 20 at fort William at my debut elite WC and winning a BDS last year for Dirt Propain Zelvy.”

Give us a story from your wildest moment in mountain biking?
“I once got my helmets chin piece stuck on the nose of my saddle and somehow managed not to die. There’s photo evidence of it somewhere! Haha!”

What has been your favourite moment of Dirt’s history?
“All 20 years of it baby!” 

How were you first introduced to Dirt?
“I first read Dirt in my primary school. My best mate at the time brought it in one day and we just sat there all day at our desk looking at all the bikes and choosing our perfect setup! So blessed to actually be in the position I am after dreaming about it for all those years.” 

What would be the first question you would ask Dirt?
“When will you print again?! ‘crying face’” 

When did you first start mountain biking?
“I got my first mountain bike at around 11 years old. Starting racing at 13. Raced my first national at the age of 14 then my first WC at 16.”

What bike were you on then?
“My very first proper bike I was stoked on was a singlespeed Kona Stuff. It got ragged. I then got a full suspension iron horse 7.5 and then my first DH race I was on a KTM of all things. It weighed almost the same as I did back then!”  

What rider or person has most influenced your career?
“I think Hill, Brosnan, Fairclough and Steve Smith #LongLiveChainsaw. I love the fluidity in their riding style and the no stress attitude they portray.”

What has been your favourite or most memorable race?
“There was regional Scottish race a few years back that I was at as a junior. Everything that could have went wrong did exactly that. I just pushed it aside however and raced the race. I ended up getting fastest time of the day ahead of some pretty big time names as a first year junior. It was that race that I realised how much of a mental game racing can be.”