Mark Scott, 18, lived in Edinburgh all my life.
Mark with his Rocky Mountain, new ride needed for 2012.
What category do you race in and who are your main rivals at the moment ?
This year will be my first season in Elite, out of Junior, so I suppose all the Elites will be my rivals! Growing up racing the nationals, SDA's and stuff my main rivals have been the Scottish guys like Lew Buchanan, Fraser Mcglone and Arron Gannicot.
Riding at the SRAM Test Track in Southern Spain makes for great winter training.
Turning on the style and throwing some rocks about
How was last season for you both at home and abroad?
Last year wasn't a bad year for me. I managed some top 40's at World Cups and qualified at all, but one. Finished 64th in the overall and never went to South Africa, managed 15th at World Champs with a few crashes too, all still as a Junior. Nationals were OK, I got a few podiums and won one race, but crashed a lot, which was annoying. I seem to perform better with the pressure of World Cup racing.
Big rocks and big tracks out in Malaga.
Puncture heaven, but still no sign of slowing down.
What happened to the Maxxis Rocky Mountain Team?
Rocky Mountain/Maxxis was a great help for me last year and gave me support at World Cups to let me concentrate fully on my riding. I think Maxxis are pushing their efforts into road cycling and can't continue their support of the team. It was a great set-up and I'm grateful for the opportunity.
Sun, not a cloud in the sky. 20 degrees at the start of Febraury... two hours from home.
Squashing down a jump.
Who is supporting you for the 2012 season?
2012 has been tough for me to get a deal sorted. I've only got a few confirmed sponsors with Renthal, Sun Ringle Wheels, WTB Saddles and Phunkt Photography. I’m still speaking with a few people trying to get it sorted for the World Cup season.
Flying through the woods and dappled light.
Your uncle has a place in Malaga, Spain. How is it spending time out there training during the winter?
It was just a coincidence that my granddad had a house out here in Malaga. He bought it before I even started riding! These last few winters it has came in very useful for training. This year we hooked up with a new riding company Roost DH and they showed us loads of new trails. Mal and Ben know their stuff about everything out here, so It's been really cool to meet them. They have a mega set-up for winter riding/training holidays for downhillers and enduro riders. People should definitely check them out.
This section of track is very high speed, most people hit this small rise and get a few inches of air. When Mark and Harry Heath started hucking it, the gauntlet had been thrown. They spent 4-5 runs sending it, going huge. Most people jump one bike length, just look what they did...
Thanks to Mark for taking 5 to let us know a bit more about what's going on with him, and best of luck for finding a ride for this season. He has the skills to pay the bills.
Interview & Stills by: Jacob Gibbins
Website: www.JacobGibbins.co.uk
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