Al Bond has ridden and raced mountain bikes for his entire life and has always had a reputation as being a rider who gets out riding more than nearly everyone. Come rain or shine, Al will be found on hillsides around Wales practising, digging tracks and building on his already huge talent.

Al’s previously been the British National Points Series Champion and last year rode for the almighty Chain Reaction Cycles team. He’s traveled far and wide to ride and race bikes and has remained positive and motivated at every point in his career. This year he has suffered somewhat with a terrible injury that has put him off the bike during the winter training period. But he has a ride for Nukeproof and you can bet that as soon as he is healed he’ll be back tearing it up on the World Cup DH scene.

What motivates you to train?

I just love cycling really and pretty much all that goes with it. I would love to be able to make a living out of it. I don’t find it too hard to find motivation because I enjoy the training. Yeah the sprints and intervals are grim sometimes but if you want to get the results…end of the day everyone wants to be the best.

If you set yourself goals what are they?

My goals at the moment are to get my foot back to 100%, then get fit, strong and fast again. Hopefully in time for Fort Bill in june.

What gets you out on the bike in winter?

When it’s a cold, snowy and windy day the thought that others might be slacking and skipping a training session, so I can get one in over them! Haha. Plus winter XC rides sometimes are awesome! Sometimes not so much.

Do you have a trainer, do you think it makes a difference and do you think general riders should employ one?

I had a trainer for the past 2 seasons and for sure I think it was a great help. It really pointed me in the right direction. That said though, this year I’m doing my own training. I think I have learnt now the best ways for me to train. So there’s no point in paying someone to tell you what you already know.

What, if anything, are you doing differently this winter?

Well with this foot injury that’s had me off the bike for 4months so far, I’ve had lots of time to re-evaluate my riding/training and all that comes with that. This injury sucks but I’m actually kind of glad it happened in a strange way. I’ve learned so much recently and I feel I have tons of fresh motivation, and that I’m finally on the right track to where I want to go.

What races are you signed up for this year?

None at the moment! It’s all foot dependant. If my foot is sorted and I feel good I will hopefully try to do the whole World Cup series, try to catch the last few British rounds and the National Champs. If I don’t feel ready I’m going to go Portugal to do some small races there to work my way back into things slowly. Time will tell and we will see…