Lance McDermott: Back from Injury.
by Stu Thomson
Jul 19, 2010
It's been 1 year since Lance McDermott last showed off his skills in a contest. A broken leg sustained in a BMX crash June 2009 (See it in the video), followed by a major failure in his first operation has had Lance sitting on the sideline watching on so far in 2010. Despite signing a deal for the newly revitalized UK brand Saracen in 2010 it is only now he is getting his leg back over a bike and pushing towards the standard of riding we all know him for. A few weeks ago I headed to meet Lance, shoot some video and see him as he pushes back towards full fitness in an attempt to be able to compete at Crankworx in a few weeks.
Video, Photos and Interview inside,
Video, Photos and Interview inside,
The main object of the trip was to shoot the video on Lance as he talks about his recovery and feature a bit of riding as he got back to a level of fitness in which he could throw down a few tricks. Needless to say I threw a few quick questions his way for you too!
Where have you been for the past year?
Injured! Trying to recover from a broken leg & then finding out the doctor had done the op wrong so had to have a 2nd op!
When was your last contest?
FISE 2009
 |
| Didn't take him long to get the hand plant dialed again! |
How difficult has it been to come back from such a long time off your bike?
It's been very hard, but nothing will stop me from doing what I love. 2011 will be Lance McDermott back on top.
When will we see you back at a contest?
Crankworx 2010, but nothing too serious as I will not be back to 100%, but 2011 will be the year to watch.
Are you apprehensive about returning to competition?
Not at all! It's what I do it's what makes me love this sport. I always get nervous before a contest, but that's normal I guess?
 |
| Flare |
Tell us about your new deal with Saracen Bikes this year?
This has to be the biggest thing in mountain biking for me after such a big injury and changing sponsor. It's such a big challenge to come back and once again show that I am the top dog! Saracen are such a brilliant company and the bikes ride so well, I can't see anything that can hold me back! Fingers crossed no more broken bones.
 |
Saracen have been around a long time, but have only recently entered the freeride/All Mountain market with some good equipment, have you had much influence on design and spec of the bikes?
Yeh it's great, I have been working along side Simon Wild, the Designer of the new Saracen range and we have come up with some super cool & affordable bikes that work and you will know what I mean when you ride one.
 |
What does the future hold for you?
PODIUMS!
Anyone to thank?
All my sponsors, but especially my family, Mum, Dad, Girlfriend & beautiful little boy Lucius AKA Futures number one.
 |
Must Read This Week
- 1. Nuke Proof Scalp - Eurobike 2010 24044 reads
- 2. 2011 Last Bikes - Eurobike 2010 21917 reads
- 3. Eurobike 2010 Day 1: Demo Day 21297 reads
- 4. Santa Cruz Team Replica Carbon V10 - Eurobike 2010 19160 reads
- 5. Ghost E-Ndure Electric - Eurobike 2010 18175 reads
- 6. Life Cycles Teaser Release 17731 reads
- 7. Alutech Prototype - Eurobike 2010 16310 reads
- 8. UCI World Championships Mont Saint Anne - What they are running! 15504 reads
31 Comments
okay lemme just say that if i did that to my leg id be too scared to even look at a bike again... props. great video
i met simon wild (saracen product manager) yesterday and he was saying things are lookin good for lance. GOOD LUCK at crankworx lance! good to see you back on 2 wheels 
[Reply]
It must of really sucked to be out for so long. Hope he quickly comes back and starts pushing the sport again. Nice video and amazing pictures as well, every picture could easily be POM.
To be fair he did say that it's only his second ride in nearly 1 year and coming back from a big injury is never nice , and as you say hes a DJ/park rider anyway so....
I think what you successfully did there was type a lot and yet make absolutely no point...
At his level of the sport you'd think he'd be a little more, comfortable? Lots of riders come back from injury and still manage to ride quickly.
Although, his park riding is still sweet as, all I'm saying is he is barely an all round, unlike [for instance] Olly Wilkins, Aaron Chase, Brandon Semenuek [or however he ruddy spells it] or on another level - the Athertons [And they prove even after injury you can maintain some level of EPIC on a bike].
At his level of the sport you'd think he'd be a little more, comfortable? Lots of riders come back from injury and still manage to ride quickly.
Although, his park riding is still sweet as, all I'm saying is he is barely an all round, unlike [for instance] Olly Wilkins, Aaron Chase, Brandon Semenuek [or however he ruddy spells it] or on another level - the Athertons [And they prove even after injury you can maintain some level of EPIC on a bike].
[Reply]
- Lance 'McDouche' McDermott. seriously most arrogant rider.
I heard a story from a mate who went to Whistler and was with Steve Smith when he and Lance McDermott had an altercation. Steve went up to lance because lance was being his usual arrogant self and said to him "front flips are f*cking g*y", so lance headbutted him in the face! Then all these other guys jumped on him and held lance and steve back so a massive fight didn't erupt.
I heard a story from a mate who went to Whistler and was with Steve Smith when he and Lance McDermott had an altercation. Steve went up to lance because lance was being his usual arrogant self and said to him "front flips are f*cking g*y", so lance headbutted him in the face! Then all these other guys jumped on him and held lance and steve back so a massive fight didn't erupt.
Front flips are g*y !!! I have never seen one pulled of that makes the move look good , just pure awkward un-smooth and ugly
crazytruelove THUMBS UP bro! & why would steve smith go out of hes way to say somthing like that he proberly said it in a offence way so steve smith proberly desverd a headbutt
I actually did catch a very arrogant vibe from the article...Perhaps it's just because the line between self-confidence and arrogance is so thin? It was just the way he said a couple things, it's like he views himself as better than the other riders, and says it like he was the best rider before his injury...
Maybe we're just taking it the wrong way, but people like McCaul never brag about themselves, and that's probably why everyone likes him!
Maybe we're just taking it the wrong way, but people like McCaul never brag about themselves, and that's probably why everyone likes him!
McCauls front flips at the Claymore were clearly NOT g*y.... (and yeah Suicide, he's also a great example of a down to earth, cool guy).
take in mind this was back in 2007 when Lance was the only mountain biker doing frontflips, and yes 'big burd' they were pretty ugly and awkward to watch. Steve Smith's opinion of front flips is probably not negative, Steve just used the fact that Lance was the only one doing them back then as a way of having a go at Lance because he thinks he's king shit.
personally, I love frontflips! my mate benny phillips ( http://www.pinkbike.com/video/131034/ ) is the first mountain biker in the world to land a front flip tail whip, was amazing to watch.
personally, I love frontflips! my mate benny phillips ( http://www.pinkbike.com/video/131034/ ) is the first mountain biker in the world to land a front flip tail whip, was amazing to watch.
I'd be pretty arrogant if I was the first rider really throwing front flips [Proper front flips, with no front brake before anyone calls the Jim Dechamp card...]
I found this so inspiring, good luck with everything and hope time will bring you back to where you want to be.
Those trails at the end are just like my local woods at home, nice to see lance hitting the smaller UK stuff like im used to
Those trails at the end are just like my local woods at home, nice to see lance hitting the smaller UK stuff like im used to
cant believe saracen are making "good" bikes now the ariel looks waaaayy above saracens old standards.
Post A New Comment
Why was a comment deleted?
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
*Note: Spam propping comments result in a user ban.