Dirty Halfpipe

DHP caught up with Sam after finishing 2nd in the world champs.....

Click read on for the interview....

Live: Macclesfield, Cheshire
Age: 18
Local track:The legal one just got knocked down but ive still got a few secret ones kicking about.

Music: AC/DC
Drink: Cider or jager
Job: Professional Mountain Biker

2nd in the world champs you must be psyched?

Sure am, such a rad track. It was easy to mess it up though so i rode pretty steady in the final.

You seem pretty close to 1st place Bryceland, do you two ride/train together at all?

When were both at home we go riding quite alot. we push each other on to do new stuff.

How's it going being on the new Cannondale factory squad?

Shit hot. Its so good having that much support. The only thing i have to do is focus on the race.

Taking any fashion tips from Riffle?

HAHA i was thinking of shaving my balls but gave it a miss!

Who was your first sponsor?

Goldtec Burgtec and Five Ten

How does the Solid compare to the Judge?

Cant really compare it, they are so much differnet from each other. The Judge is set up as a racing machine!

Are you able to bike full time or do you still hold down a job in the off season?

We will see how things go. Im planning on working a little bit but i want to go abroad for a few months to train hard for next season.

Im sure you've been all over the world this year, anything stood out?

Maribor has been my favourite track so far but driving from place to place is so cool. Seeing all the mountains and how small everything in england is it makes me wonder why the brits smoke every one.

Nike 6.0 and it's team seem to have took off this year with you and Josh coming in 1st and 2nd at the worlds, what kind of support do you guys get from them?

The best, they look after us all so well they take us on trips with the other members of the team. Its good to get away from racing sometimes and just chill out.

Your out on the piss in manchester, fight cracks off, who would you want backing you up?

Rennie and Kovarik, or kimbo slice

Who can drink more you or josh?

josh haha

Moving up to Senior next year, what are you aiming for? Any goals?

Keep racing my bike and to go faster than i am this year. top 15 overall would be cool.

Have you ever done anything other than downhill, any moto or bmx background?

I did a year of xc before i started racing downhill. I went through a spell of riding BMX. Ive got myself a YZ now though, its good to go out on that.

Been on or in any film shoots lately?

I did a few at the start of the year and have a few more lined up. Some big ones and some not so big ones.

Never thought about giving 4x a go?

Yeah, ive raced 4x twice and got 2nd at the National Champs. I enjoyed it but wasnt into it when some ginger kid took me out because he didnt know what he was doing. I might ride 4x at Schladming but im not sure yet.

What do you think to the 'freeride' thing?

Its fun and theres alot of money involved. Racing is where its at though.

Your bro Tom seems to be pretty quick with his single crowns, any sibling rivalry ever gone on?

Yeah, plenty. Brothers are brothers and there will always be rivalry.

I've heard your dad is pro at searching out lines? Have your parents been supportive since the start?

If hes got his glasses on he can find some lines! My dads always been there for me taking me to races and if my bike was ever bust and i had no money he would always hook me up. I still owe him a shit load for car insurance! Cheers Dad

How can you see the sport going? The live coverage on line seems to be taking off, but is slow.... What would you like to see more of to improve the sport?

I was talking about this the other day. I think if it became an olympic sport it would be good but it could be dead for 3 years then busy for one. I think if there were more invite only events on really gnarly tracks that had tv coverage it would do alot for the sport.

Ever been seen the track and thought 'shit'? What kind of track suits you?

I have, but tracks to me look more gnarly when im walking it than when im riding it. Im not to sure what track suits me, if its fun and i have fun when im racing it i normaly do good. In the UK people try and make tracks too long for the size of the hill. Downhill tracks should be going down the hill and not across the hill. I did a race in Germany and the track was only a minute and a half long. But it was downhill.

Where you going to be in 10 years?

On facebook still! haha I dont know to be honest. Id like to still be racing, if not to be doing something in the sport still.

Plans for 09? Doing anything different?

Nope just going to keep her lit.

Cannondale, Nike 6.0, Sram, Avid, Rockshox, Burgtec, Technikdirekt.de, Mavic, Maxxis, FSA gravity, UFO Plast.


Nice one.

DHP