issue 21
2013 L: I love death gripping down hills man! B: So …<laughing!> we could see that before he even started racing he’d already come to so many races and watched so many races and good riders. He learnt a lot just watching races for a couple of years and by the time he started he already had more idea of what to do than I did when I started! L: I used to watch people like Peaty and Bryceland … and my dad of course! Also Rowan Sorrell, Leon Rosser, Emyr Davies and people like that. Emyr was always rad to watch. WO: And suddenly this year you’ve gone even quicker and started really getting the results. Have you changed anything specifically that’s made that change? L: Definitely growing up a bit has helped. Also having a team and mechanics for support. There’s pits to go to, there’s constant food about and anything you really need is taken care of. That’s done it, that’s definitely helped me go faster. It feels like you don’t have to do anything really, you just do what you need to do and then you relax. Like,
WO: So where did the BMX stuff come from?
last year, I went to a few of the races with my mate Obi because my little
L: Just from Wednesday night BMX races I think. We headed to a little
sister was being born and my step mum was pregnant and my dad was
Bristol track one night and met this dude who took us to a proper track
having a knee operation. I got used to doing a lot of stuff myself like
and it was pretty rad. We both started racing Wednesday night races
changing tyres but this year everything is just done for me and it’s easy.
and it went from there. This year I’ve done the full British National BMX Series and I did most of them last year too. Last year I think I was 14th
WO: You have a mate called Obi?
overall – I came 4th in the A-final this year, I was so happy with that!
L: Yeah, his brother wanted him to be called Darth Maul but they couldn’t have that so his dad went for Obi instead! He can correct me if
WO: Right, we’re running out of time. What else should I ask you
that’s wrong!!
about? Oh yeah, school. L: Yeah, I’ve just finished school and I’m going on to do a sports diploma
WO: So what do you mean that “growing up” has helped you go a
at Filton SGS college, which is a sports based college which will give me
bit faster?
time off to race World Cups and give me a hand along the way with
L: Well every year I just get a bit taller and stronger and I go faster
training, free physio and everything like that.
without even learning any new skills. Everything just gets easier and easier and it’s so easy to improve massively over a winter. I’m going to
WO: And what’s your ambition after college then?
be pretty gutted when I don’t grow any more and I don’t get those huge
L: 100% just to make downhill what I do. I want to make a living out of
leaps and bounds!
downhill and travel the world doing what I love, hopefully get some good results out of it along the way! That’s the goal anyway. Everyone wants
WO: So what training have you done this year? I know when we
to be the best don’t they?
started working together you were starting to do gym stuff… L: In the winter we did a lot of gym stuff, body weight stuff, TRX, kettle
WO: Do you want to be the best?
bells, loads of BMX at Burnham on Sea track which is flood lit on
L: Definitely!
Tuesday and Thursday nights.
WO: Last question then. When did you get faster than your old man? L: <laughing> The year he stopped racing with his knee operation! I rode
WO: And who’s winning your pull up contest?!
loads at races and at BMX. I think when he first came back riding he
L: <laughing> I think we’re pretty much equal at the moment!
thought in his head he was as fast as me!! Tell you what, a few places he
B: I did 27!
could actually keep up!
L: We’ve also started training with Andy Wadsworth at MyLifePT who is Danny Hart’s trainer. He’s been giving us some work to do and it’s been
WO: And what advice would you give to any riders that are looking
going really well. He’s given me loads of glute work!! He’s not been doing
to get to where you’re at?
so much upper body and arm stuff more leg work and core work and
L: Definitely watch Dirt’s Fabien Barel and Josh Bryceland ‘Flow’ videos –
stabilising everything so I don’t get out of shape. He looks at the aspects
they helped me out a hell of a lot! Just have fun like those boys do, don’t
of your body that’s not so good and concentrates on that stuff.
take it too seriously and always feel excited for race runs.
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