Most Popular Stories
- 1.Chatel Mountainstyle 2010 vidoes 2010-07-10
- 2.Kokanee Crankworx pumptrack challenge 2010-07-16
- 3.2010 Santa Cruz Nomad 2010-07-19
- 4.Contest #43 - Three prizes in one, Last week to enter! 2010-07-27
- 5.The Atherton Project: Episode 6 2010-07-20
- 6.Norco Fluid 1. 2010-07-22
- 7.Trek World Racing: Three podiums at Champery. 2010-07-25
- 8.Gold And Silver Medals For Flueckiger Brothers at European Championships 2010-07-14
- 9.Santa Cruz Bikes race report from a muddy Champery. 2010-07-26
- 10.Chain Reaction Cyles / Intense race report from Champery. 2010-07-27
News
Sitting down with the Syndicate.
We sit down with three of the fastest bikers in the world.
Author: Chris Armstrong | Created: 2009-02-02 07:00:00 | Location: Santa Cruz, CA
In January the Santa Cruz Syndicate swarmed the SC office for some testing on their new rigs. Getting the settings dialed early in the season shows how serious they taking winning. We got a chance to speak with them and ask all of them their thoughts on the upcoming season.
Wmb: What have you been up to since the end of the season?
Greg: I got in to some moto bike enduro's and been doing quite a bit of surfing.
Steve: I have been busy since the end of the season. I had a few testing and media trips before Christmas and then I have been out in the States for a few weeks this year.
Josh: Enjoying some down time for a while, then getting into my training for 09!
Wmb: Coming off a strong 2008 season, what is your training focus on in the off-season?
Greg: Just gonna try to maintain my fitness through the off season and make sure I stay healthy.
Steve:I will be focusing on getting fit with my training, doing things that are fun but get me fit at the same time.
Josh: All ways looking ahead, working on my weaknesses but just being driven by the desire to win!
|
Wmb: How much time do you dialing in new settings on your bikes? Is it a constant battle, or do you figure out your setup and leave it for the season?
Greg: I do change my setting slightly through the season. We are at test camp now and what we are doing is getting our standard settings on the bikes and then we adjust settings from there.
Steve: We have a few test sessions to set up bikes before the season, then its an ongoing progression throughout the season, each track is different so it requires constant tweaks to be on top.
Josh: i get a general set up going at the start of the year which takes a day or so then it can vary slightly from race to race, the v10 adapts so well though some races it doesnt need to be changed!
Wmb: What percentage of winning is mental/physical?
Greg: Yeah, i'm not sure percentage wise...... but it sure is a big part of winning.
Steve: Winning is a full package of everything, you have to be mentally strong and physically fit, they both work together to get the job done.
Josh: I'm no scientist but I'd say 70%physical 30% mental.
Wmb: Favourite race course in the world?
Greg: Mont St Anne.
Steve: Ft William is a good race venue and the crowds are the best ever.
Josh: Val di sol is a cracker!
|
Wmb: Who is your all time best dh racer?
Greg: There a couple, Steve "Old School" Peat, Missy Giove, Nico.
Steve: Rob Warner, he is a legend.........ha ha
Josh: This old school guy called Steve Peat.
Wmb: Can you compare the speed of the competition over the past few years?
Greg: For sure, as bikes develop we have been going faster. I also think the level of competition has lifted the last couple years.
Steve: Yes, the speed is getting faster, riders and bike companies both are all pushing the limits.
Josh: I'm trying to catch them up, the bar is always being raised.
Wmb: What about the race courses, do they change year to year, or are they very similar?
Greg: Some do change, but the classics don't really.
Steve: We sometimes visit new venues in a year so thats always a good challenge, but when we go back the same tracks there are usually parts that have been used for years.
Josh: They always change slightly, the world champs this year progressed a lot it was nice to have something really challenging.
|
Wmb: What are you most proud of?
Greg: Being an African......
Steve: I am proud of my family, there is no better feeling than getting home and getting a massive cuddle from them.
Josh: Winning Junior World Championships 2008.
Wmb:Predictions for ‘09?
Greg: Add one more orange to the pile!
Steve: I predict that the Syndicate will have an amazing year, you should check out our new paint jobs, we are looking sic!!!!!!
Josh: Steve, Greg, Gee, Sam battling it out for top spot
Check out the full gallery here:
What do you think of the Syndicate? Talk back here:
Comments
No comments have been posted yet!You must be registered and logged in to post a comment.
