With a tough start to the year but then a string of podiums, how do you look back on 2017?

2017 was a very tough one for me to swallow, I think Lourdes really did it for me. I felt that without the weather I was definitely on for a top three. I believe had that have happened, things would have been a lot different. It just got a lot worse before it did get any better, I may as well have not showed up! However I do look at it like this, I stared adversity right in the face, so I think I can learn from that.

You’ve enjoyed great success with Mondraker, what made you decide that now was the time to move on?

My time at Mondraker had come to and end I felt it was going to be the best for me to move on, I had some good times with them, all in all a successful couple of years.

What made Madison the right choice for the move?

For me moving over to The Madison Saracen Factory Racing Team is going to be great, the team are based in England and I will have my mechanic Dave Garland to go testing with whenever I need to so logistically that is going to be good.

My team manager Will Longden has been always been in my corner since I rode for him back in 2004 on the MBUK Scott team, I know he knows what it takes to be at the top of DH Racing.

Will you be riding the Myst 29er next year? If yes, at every race or only some of the races?

At the moment I am just working with the Myst 27.5 to have a good starting point. The bike is really good, I feel I am already up to speed on it and now I am going to go all in on riding the next few months. I’m really excited for Croatia in April.

What difference will it make having Dave back on board?

I spoke with the team and asked if I could bring Dave over to the programme. Me and Dave have unfinished business I think, so I’m thrilled he wanted to come back and work with me and see what we can accomplish second time round. He is a very knowledgeable mechanic with years of experience, we have lots of things lined up for the next few weeks testing.

Do you think it will make a difference being back on a British team?

It is just so much easier on a English team, I won’t have to worry about anything, its just all covered!

What are the plans/goals for this year? Are you just riding World Cups or will you be at Nationals/Crankworx as well?

I really want to get going at the sharp end from the first World Cup, and with the right testing, training, and prep I believe we can do that.

I will be doing a few pre season races, I think I will be at the Pro GRT over in Tennessee, Windrock Bike Park, aiming to do the first BDS, and we have a race at my bike park in March I hope to be at as well.