10 for 10 - #6 Matt Simmonds
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Age: 27
Nationality: Great Britain
2014 rank: 6th
Experience: 9 years elite
Current Team: Madison Saracen
The journey to the top isn't always about buddying up with a famous mentor and inking a big-time deal at 17... for some it's about building up to top flight performance from the first afternoon spent shuttling a ragged old forestry commission trail in the back of a rusty T4. Matt Simmonds was there scrapping in the Welsh mud against the young Brendans and Athertons of this World at the Dragon series races well over ten years ago. This gentle giant has put in the hours, make no mistake and now he's not looking so gentle. Big Matt Simmonds is a rider at the peak of his career with the 'hulk smash' kind of power to send it, but also the finesse and intelligence to slip onto the top steps almost undetected. Expect a fresh crusade from the Saracen smasher in 2015.
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PB: 1: Where and how have you been spending your off-season?
 | This year I've spent the off-season in Lousa, Portugal, hanging out with my fiancee and the team. The riding here is amazing and the sunshine makes it so much easier to go out and train! We had a camp here and riding with Sam and Manon the last couple of weeks has been fun along with getting all our new kit and bikes for the year. A daily routine of either road or downhill and coffee went down most days - Matt |
PB: 2. What was the highlight of your 2014 season and why was it so significant to you?
| For me it was qualifying 1st in Meribel, my team and I had put a lot of work in leading up to this point and it was nice to see the rewards! To go on to the following day and finish second is what I've been working towards the last few years, it was an awesome feeling to get my first podium and has left me wanting more - Matt |
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PB: 3. Was there a moment or period you considered to be your season ‘low’ and for what reason?
| The first two rounds of the world cup in 2014 didn't really go to plan, illness and crashes left me clawing to stay in the top 20. Luckily there was a break following those rounds giving me time to rebuild and start over again - Matt |
PB: 4. Are there changes you are looking to make to your approach mentally or physically for 2015?
| Not really just going to build on a solid 2014 and keep the momentum going into 2015 - Matt |
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PB: 5. How have you split your time between ‘on’ and ‘off’ the big bike training?
| There are certainly different phases in training, but the main reason for spending the off-season here in Lousa was to spend more time on the downhill bike. I like to keep it fresh though so most Saturdays I'll meet up the locals and go for a blast on the motorbikes. Its something different but the speed element is just the same and just as fun - Matt |
PB: 6. When inspiration has run low lately, to whom or what have you turned to kick your motivation levels up a gear?
| Either talking to my fiancee, Hannah, or my new coach Phil, really helps put things in perspective when training is tough. I also find reading about other athletes and how hard they work really inspires me to put in the hours and dig deep! - Matt |
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PB: 7. What bit of kit are you looking forward to using most at the races?
| Along with my Saracen Myst we've worked hard with the Fox guys on set up this year. Having them at the races to help fine tune things over a race weekend is a big bonus - Matt |
PB: 8. Which rider do you see as the biggest threat to the 2015 title?
| I can't name just one but the 5 guys in front of me last year certainly will be charging - Matt |
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PB: 9. Which race or single moment of the coming season are you most excited for?
| Fort William every time. It's just special... the atmosphere is amazing and it's always the one that family and friends make it to - Matt |
PB:10. Complete the sentence: ‘I won’t be racing a single World Cup without....'
| ... my Saracen Myst, my lucky pants and some top 80's dance tunes - Matt |
MENTIONS: @SaracenBikes / @foxracingshox / @shimano
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