The #1 ranked UCI Women’s Marathon Mountain Bike racer in the world: England’s SALLY BIGHAM of Team Topeak-Ergon.
I’ve been reading Sally Bigham’s blog for a couple years now and have had it in the back of my mind for months to ask for an interview. I could say it was her laundry list of marathon and stage race wins, podium appearances and her 2011 UCI Marathon #1 ranking that made me want to interview her. (Believe me, those things didn’t hurt!) But what finally pushed me to ask was reading comments on her blog and seeing her shivering on video after the cold, rain soaked 65 km Adamello Bike Marathon in Italy last September. “Throughout the course there were some excellent singletrail descents, including steep, narrow switchbacks; rocky singletrails; and rooty sections, all of which were made more technical due to the rain. I really liked the course in the dry, but I loved it in the wet.” And, “It was really good fun actually. I really enjoyed all of the downhills and the rain made the downhills more technical and more fun.” Yep, that did it! I sent an email request was to Team Topeak-Ergon and then to her as I anxiously waited for the chance to do a Q&A with the top (women’s) marathon mountain bike racer in the world. She was up for it! I made up my list of questions and in between the holidays, travel and training the following email interview was done. Interview by Jason Mahokey Photos courtesy of www.Sportograf.com & BoB Foy, www.foyfoto.com
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XXC Magazine 17