Getting to Know Francisco Pardal
Francisco Pardal is one of the new Portuguese guard, charging his local scene since 2011. Fran has also started to make some impressions on the World Cup circuit with his best result being 18th at Vallnord in 2013. He loves his country and says that it has the ideal conditions and terrain for training to be a pro, but is difficult for riders to progress to an international level for financial reasons. Hindrances in the form of injuries, mechanicals, and bad luck are commonplace for riders at this level, guys that are teetering on the edge of has and has-been, made it and making it. Hopefully, we will see his hard work pay off and consistency improve in 2016 and beyond from this down to earth shredder.
Who is Francisco Pardal?A fun guy who likes to ride bikes, motorbikes, living life being outside around the mountains.
Where are you from and where do you live?I’m from Portugal and I live in Soure.
Who do you ride for?Commencal bikes, Fox Head Europe, Fox Racing Shox, Shimano, Maxxis, New race, Renthal, DMR bikes, Ti-springs, RedBull Portugal, ride100percent, Speedfreak and Louzanpark.
Where are you happiest?I’m the happiest when I’m outdoors riding bikes, motorbikes, jet-ski, having fun with friends, racing and doing everything I love.
What’s been your favourite race/contest venue?World Cup in Andorra and Méribel, where I did my best results! The tracks are awesome, steep, lots of roots and some rocks. Definitely good times with fellow riders… so much fun!
And your favourite trails?Lousã in Portugal for sure. Morzine, Les Gets and Andorra are all in my favorite places for riding abroad.
What are your strengths?Technical, steep sections, on mud and roots judging by my results.
And your weaknesses?Some rock gardens!
What’s been your worst crash over the years?Last year after the first World Cup, when I was back home practicing had a big crash over the bars and scraped my back really bad, it was really painful. Recently I had another big crash and broke both my wrists.
And what’s been your luckiest escape?One time at the World Cup in Andorra only three corners before the finish line my front wheel slipped on a couple roots and I put my foot out, my back wheel had a fast movement like pinball and I continued all the way down to cross the finish line into the top twenty, incredible escape.
Which bike from over the years, conjures up the best memories?Mondraker and Commencal.
What bikes are you riding right now?I currently have a Commencal Supreme V4 for DH, Commencal Meta AM V4 for enduro and Commencal Absolute for pump track and dirt.
Who’s your favourite rider?That’s a hard question. Ratboy and Blenki for their style. Minnaar and Gee for their consistency, control, no mistakes and they’re on top 5, year after year! Not forgetting my friend and legend Steve Peat!
Who or what inspires you?Athletes who ride fast and win races. And my parents for encouraging me to continue this lifestyle!
What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?I enjoy getting out with my friends, walking in the mountains, I love MX and trial motorbikes. Everything makes me happy!
What are you listening to right now?Recently I'm listening to The XX, Noiserv, Alt j, Frankie Chavez, Metronomy, and Matisyahu.
What’s your favourite movie?Three Minute Gaps, Earthed, The Syndicate series and more.
And TV show?I don't watch much TV, but I like the Portuguese program “Five for Half Night” and sometimes Fuel TV.
What’s your favourite non-bike website?Vital MX.
What’s your favourite motto or saying?Fast and loose!
What grinds your gears?Idiots who throw garbage on the ground and into nature.
And what makes you happy?Riding bikes, motorbikes, jumps, jet ski, barbecue, my girlfriend, being outside and a random assortment of activities.
If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?I’m not quite a pro rider, I have to work in the winter to have enough money to get to the World Cup races. Of course, I would love to have money to travel more, living life, and maybe to be a pro-MX rider, haha!
If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?I would make downhill an Olympic sport and put World Cup races live on TV like football.
When you hang up your racing/riding shoes, how do you want to be remembered?Hopefully as that fun guy who won races with good style on the bike, and a good guy in general.
What does the future hold for you?Hopefully good times, good races and good results.
MENTIONS: @COMMENCALbicycles / @foxracingshox / @shimano / @Maxxis / @dmrbikes / @Fox-Head-Inc / @renthalcycling / @ride100percent
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I watched DHI live twice on a China holiday now, thanks to Red Bull TV - try that with any of the TV crap...
/rant over
the problem with our racers is that the federation doesn't suport the riders
they don't take any to the races, so the ones that go are if they can, on world championship last year only took 2 elite riders and refused to let more elite juniores and women even if they payed to goo(andorra is "near")
but yes, riding wise you have a lot of good places, for DH, enduro and road riding, oly lacking pumptracks and things like that