Matt Simmonds 2010 season - Part 1

by John Lee
Apr 28, 2010

Matt Simmonds is one of the fastest UK downhill riders around and when you see him racing any track he is out there giving it everything he has and you know under that helmet he is cracking out a big cheesy grin and loving every minute of it. We take a short chunk of Matt's time to discuss 2010 - up to this point.

Read more inside!

Matt getting the job done at Moelfre with a superb win
Matt getting the job done at Moelfre with a superb win

After a win at the classic Moelfre Descent Gear event and taking third at the first round of the BDS behind the Atherton duo by 0.5 seconds - you're having a great start to the 2010 season. What do you think prepared you so well over winter and how is the season going so far?
Yeah I’m pretty pleased with how the first BDS went. It’s when everyone gets together for the first time after slogging the winter out, so you can see what kind of pace you're at. As for preparation, I just had fun riding with friends and getting done what needing to be done.

You seem to be a real friendly rider and racer who doesn't mind having fun at the races as well as getting the job done - what are your tactics when approaching a race and keeping yourself calm?
Getting myself and my Intense m6 evo prepared in the week running up to the event helps keep the nerves down. I think when you know that you’ve done everything you need to leading up to a race; all you need to do is just ride and enjoy yourself.

We see that you train and ride with quite a few different people - who do you session with regularly and enjoy riding with and your three favorite places to train?
I tend to ride with a lot of different people, doing road riding, XC or just smashing some downhill. The main people I train with would have to be Rob Smith and my gym instructor Scott.


Three favorite places you train:
The Track Shrewsbury (Road Bike)
Llongmynd hills (XC)
Tilly mid Wales (DH)


What are your hopes for the 2010 season?
To finish top 20 overall in the world cup series and to get selected for the GB squad.

How did you get into racing MTB`s and when did it all start? Did you compete in anything else when growing up?
When I was younger I met someone, who would later become one of my best mates, riding an Orange 222. I had never seen anything like it. We got talking and I decided to go and watch him racing a week later at Eastridge. That was it I was hooked, I loved watching the racing and decided to try it myself.

A lot of people think the race scene is dying and is controlled by the Athertons and Steve Peat on the World Cup circuit - is it difficult being a lower profile in this sport and finding the same kind of support and appreciation for all the hard work over winter and during the race season?
I don’t think the race scene is dying, far from it. Just look at the Pearce, SDA and BDS races, every race is full weeks in advance. I do however; feel that sponsorship is harder to find probably due to the current economic climate, but I am very lucky in the support that I receive from chainreactioncycles.com.

The Chain Reaction team seem quite established on the race scene and are becoming a real underdog to win team - do you think any of your team mates will surprise us this season? Who and why?
I know everyone on the team has worked really hard over the winter and are determined to improve on the '09 season. Chris and Claire have been winning lots of races over in Australia, Matti and Julien are both back and fit, and Rudariah and myself are getting faster all the time, so the team is looking really strong.

You want to thank anyone?
I would like to thank everyone at chainreactioncycles.com and Axo goggles for the amazing support. Nigel Page for putting up with me, along with my Parents and the Smith family.

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Stay tuned for Part 2 in a few weeks time.
Must Read This Week









28 Comments

  • + 1
flag Trotter (Apr 28, 2010 at 15:12)
 I have seen Matt at a few races and he is far from low profile he borders on hero status wen u hear ppl talking about him. He is quick and makes it look effortless. I`ll definately be watching for him on freecaster in the worlds. A special big up to him for finding the llangollen track which is only 4 mile from wer i`m originally from, and I wud never of dreamed a track could be made there.
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag tinoco (Apr 28, 2010 at 6:18)
 nice Wink
888 is fantastic Wink i like Wink
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Dubz66 (Apr 28, 2010 at 12:55)
 Matt's season has started well and long may it continue, he seems so relaxed yet so focused but more importantly so fast. Great rider and great person I hope his 2010 goals are achieved.
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag hoshi (Apr 28, 2010 at 0:47)
 noooo he is riding Marzocchi too? What's going on?
  • + 4
flag benparker (Apr 28, 2010 at 1:25)
 the whole crc team changed
  • + 2
flag iambike4lyf (Apr 28, 2010 at 2:23)
 mental helmet cam!
that track looks sweet
and marzo aint bad at all, only gripe ive ever had is the weight and sending it off for warrenty, so for 2010 if they lightened them up id rate their forks highly
  • + 3
flag hoshi (Apr 28, 2010 at 2:53)
 thought at Sea Otter Matti was riding the Dorado? hell the Intense looks way better with the Dorado anyway
  • + 1
flag kaibrabo (Apr 28, 2010 at 23:01)
 no they dont! those 888's are dialed
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag fraserogden (Apr 28, 2010 at 9:24)
 Oh well, he's riding 888's but he's effin fast so i dont think it really matters, he's gonna kill it this season, watched him win on the weekend and he was on a sick one. Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag MiloXC3 (Apr 28, 2010 at 4:40)
 I'm surprised with the fork change, have Chain Reactions changed fork for all riders or just Matt Simmonds? dorado looked much more sick than the 888.
  • + 1
flag Chancho19 (Apr 28, 2010 at 17:39)
 yeah the whole team is rockin the new 888, gotta say I love the way the new fork looks with the team!
  • + 1
flag MiloXC3 (Apr 29, 2010 at 8:07)
 Hmm I dunno, it does look good but I prefered the Dorado. Ahwell! Smile
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag kaibrabo (Apr 28, 2010 at 0:14)
 good video and write up!
  • + 1
flag GravityMafia (Apr 28, 2010 at 12:07)
 Check out footage of Matt at last weekends Pearce Cycles race...... he took the Top step of the Podium www.pinkbike.com/video/135229/
  • + 1
flag bxxer-rider (Apr 28, 2010 at 14:07)
 such a shame this trail will never be raced again Frown
  • + 1
flag dave6797 (Apr 28, 2010 at 14:48)
 what trail?
  • + 1
flag Muttley (Apr 28, 2010 at 16:17)
 Bxxer Rider, no, It will be, there are just issues that WILL be sorted.
  • + 1
flag bxxer-rider (Apr 29, 2010 at 8:50)
 just that act that no coach company's with touch the venue and can use tractors and trailers due to forestry commissions (think its forestry commission) restraints, i cant see it getting resolved any time soon.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag broun (Apr 28, 2010 at 16:18)
 will all of the crc team be back on m6?
  • + 1
flag ollia (Apr 29, 2010 at 8:19)
 I saw Matti Lehikoinen in the winter race here in Filand and he said that his bike is a whole new proto bike. It had 2 front shock mounts, so you can use 3" or 3,5" stroke shocks. It is not a m6, but M-series still. I've heard that the bike is probably going to be in production next year.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag powerbysram (Apr 29, 2010 at 20:46)
 ·············Love this video, so sick·
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag foxrider18 (Apr 28, 2010 at 19:27)
 Love this video, so sick.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag brodricka (Apr 28, 2010 at 11:30)
 sure the doraddo looks sick, but the 888s dont flex as much
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag gazmataz (Apr 28, 2010 at 1:49)
 See even pro riders fall off like me every now and a again! hahahaha
  • + 2
flag nick-hawkins (Apr 28, 2010 at 3:21)
 yer ive been riding with matt simmons twice on the training day things and both times ive come away after nailing myself.. last time was a concussion after crashing into a tree!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag SouLCr3aTioN (Apr 28, 2010 at 13:18)
 Marzocchi rules since 1949!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag powerbysram (Apr 29, 2010 at 20:47)
 牛逼!!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag sommer (Apr 28, 2010 at 3:00)
 888 for sure not bad, but it looks really bad in intense! a shame...
[Reply]

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