photo credit www.mandydraper.com

Who is Fionn Griffiths? An extreme and professional downhill mountain bike racer. Contender for 2008 Downhill World Championships. An icon of professionalism, friendliness and integrity for the sport. A dedicated and driven athlete with impressive racing results. An athlete who will continually push her boundaries and strive for perfection in her races.

Name: Fionn Griffiths

Age: 25

Country: United Kingdom

Occupation: Professional Cyclist

DHRIDER: At what age did you start riding?

Fionn: I was 16 when I started racing. I always had a bike growing up but didn’t really start “riding” until I started racing.

DHRIDER:How did you become interested in riding?

Fionn: I’d always had a bit of a draw towards my bike - I enjoyed riding it - but most of my youthful energy was taken up with my race car. After I had a motor-sport accident which kept me out of my car, I went along to a training day/clinic that my mum had seen advertised in the local newspaper. I had a blast the whole day. I got put in the lowest skill group and that made my competitive side scream out. I hated not being good at something like this. By the afternoon they’d moved me up to the intermediate group and I was hooked. I got my first race entry form and two weeks later went off and won my first race.

DHRIDER: What was the first serious bike that set you off in to competing?

Fionn:I had a Marin Bolinas Ridge. It was a fully rigid number. Didn’t take me long before I upgraded to a well used set of shock-tech suspension forks. By mid way though the season I was in the garage every night with my dad. Designing and building my new full suspension race rig. My parent’s knew that this was something I was serious about and good at as well so they backed me all the way, and supported me however they could. I competed at and Won my first National Championship on the bike my dad and I had built at home.

DHRIDER: Do you remember the moment you new this was going to be your career?

Fionn: Yes! As soon as I’d competed in my first event I knew that I’d found something special - something I was passionate about. Riding really gave me a direction and a focus in life. I’m still extremely passionate about driving and have no doubts that one day I’ll return to the competitive world of motor-sport.

DHRIDER: What's you favorite location to ride?

Fionn: The Swiss Alps somewhere. It’s so pretty there, and for just riding the back-drop is breathtaking.

DHRIDER: How many bikes do you own?

Fionn: Way too many, you want to buy one?

DHRIDER: Toughest course?

Fionn: Champrey Switzerland 2007 WC track.

DHRIDER: Worst injury?

Fionn: I have broken both my back and my neck in the past, however I think the ankle fracture(s) throughout 2005/06 had more of an impact on my career. It just kept breaking!

DHRIDER: Does being a female pose any unique challenges?

Fionn: The industry is still very male dominated so it is always a bit of a battle for the women to get the big sponsorship deals and media coverage. But we are starting to make it happen. There are a few girls out there now getting loads of coverage for the sport.

DHRIDER: Goals?

Fionn: World Championship Gold and World Cup Overall Series Winner

DHRIDER : OK don't be shy now, lol.
Pet Peeve about pro racing?

Fionn: Bad attitudes. Some riders are full of themselves and take away from the normally laid back, fun-loving atmosphere of World Cup racing.


DHRIDER OK let's talk training. -What do you do? (gym, running, actual riding)

Fionn: I do a mix of everything. Elke Brutsaert is my trainer and she has me doing a variety of stuff everyday. I spend a lot of time on my bike, especially this close to season. Hours and hours of road and XC.

-How often?: Almost everyday. 1 rest day a week.

-What do you focus on? : My core is a huge part of our focus as it has the most impact to my balance and overall strength. But we target my full body since DH requires the use of almost every muscle group.

-Diet and nutrition from day to day?: Just generally eating well. I try not to limit myself much. Just everything in moderation

DHRIDER: OK let's talk racing

-How do you approach first run. What do you look for?
Fionn: First run is all about going out and having fun to build a positive outlook and head space towards the next few days of training and racing. I have normally pre-walked the course, so I have already found most of my lines.

-How do you choose lines? I look for what is going to make corners flow the best, lines that are going to open turns up enough that you can hold decent corner speed (cause that is where most people lose time). The rest is up to how brave you are feeling. There are always a few lines around that could cut time, but require a certain amount of risk. I make those choices on race day.

-How do you build up confidence? I just try to have fun. When I am having fun on my bike, my confidence is always there and I am always looking for something new to try or a faster way down the track. If I am not enjoying myself then my head space is negative and I find I struggle to get down tracks.

Bike?

-Part spec: Control Tech: bars, stem and seat post, Kenda Tires, Halo rims, Shimano: drive and brakes, ODI grips, THE seat, Marzocchi suspension

- Kit: THE Helmet, Fly Racing Kit (custom jerseys printed by www.thecyclejersey.com), Zeal Optics eyewear

-Frames?

Norco Team DH, Norco 4XXXX

-Any modifications you like to make to enhance performance?

most of this is a SECRET! But I like to make my bike as light as possible, so I do as much as I can to save weight all over the bike.

Prep?

-Pre race preparation (warm-up, hydration): I do a spin for about ½ hour on a wind trainer at the top of the course to get my blood flowing and my head in the game. As for food and water – I eat what I can the morning of racing although I normally have no appetite. I hydrate with carb drinks (Gatorade etc) before race runs.

-Meals before race?

The night before is normally pasta or something else that is full of carbs but I find easy to digest. The morning of I am lucky to get in a piece of fruit and some cereal.

-How do you deal with stress?

I just try to beat my stress by focusing more on the task at hand. I visualize winning and having the perfect run instead of stressing over the tough parts of the track.

-Mindset going into the races?

Hopefully confident! There are different things that come into play every week even aside from riding. So you can only do your best to keep your head in the game.

Do you ever see the day when there will be mixed-gender races?

No. There is a huge difference between men and women. DH requires so much strength – to throw the bike around and recover from mistakes. On the average weekend the top time between WC men and women is about 30 seconds difference.

What do you say to those girls that are interested in competing but are afraid of the big fall?

It is inevitable. You are going to fall off at some point. But if you are afraid and tense it will hurt more. Try to relax and just have fun. Know your limits and only push them when you are confident and ready to. Don’t feel pressure to go faster until you are ready to.

Strangest Fan encounter?

I have had a few. There is one lady in particular that managed to get a hold of my personal email address and phone number and I get strange phone calls in the middle of the night. It is kind of weird.

Tell us about Norco and the rest of your sponsors

Norco rocks! I have been riding for them for 4 years now and have had a blast the entire time. The whole company is so supportive it is great. Kenda is also a wonderful company to work for. It is also our 4th season together and we have been working on some cool stuff there. Control Tech is a new sponsor for me but I just got their new stuff a few days ago and I am STOKED to build up my bikes and start playing with their ultra light bars, stems and seat posts. Zeal Optics has been my eyewear sponsor for most of my career and they are still there this season to protect my eyes. Also THE will be supplying my helmets this season. They have come out with a whole new line of custom graphic helmets. It was hard for me to choose my lid this year ;)
Other team sponsors are: E-13, HALO rims, Shimano, Fly Racing,www.thecyclejersey.com (printing my custom jersey), ODI, Marzocchi

DHRIDER Seriously how many bike do you have?

Fionn: 11 before I count the new team bikes coming to me this year. Seriously… want to buy one ;)

DHRIDER: No, but we'll put a word out for you.

Finally thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us, is there anything you like to ad or anyone you like to thank?

Fionn: I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. Especially my parents and Jill Coleby.

The crew at DHRIDER.COM wish to thank Thrish at NORCO for making this interview happen and Fionn Griffiths and Jill Coleby for taking the time to talk to us, all photos  cortesy of GRIFFITHS RACING  you can learn more about it at www.griffithsracing.net