Interview: Justin Leov
After retiring from the DH circuit in 2012, Trek World Racing/MET helmet's Justin Leov plans to focus his attention on the growing enduro race calendar for 2014. After his first win of the season at the Craigieburn enduro in New Zealand, this year is already off to a great start. We had a chance to catch up with Justin to get the inside scoop on his life and his plans for the upcoming season.
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 Leov has become a staple on the Trek World Racing team and is excited for the 2014 Enduro World Series. Photos by J.Reuiller |
What was the main reason behind retiring from the downhill race circuit? Well, I was getting quite burnt out on downhill racing. My mind wasn't in the same place as a few years previously and I was starting to shift my focus to outside of racing, onto what I wanted to achieve in building industry in New Zealand. I didn't want to just hold on to a contract and continue racing as long as I could when I could start to get things going at home.
Last year you had a number of solid results at Enduro World Series events. What has been the biggest challenge you've needed to overcome when switching from racing downhill to enduro? The biggest challenge for me was adapting to the racing itself. I have always been used to DH courses taped from top to bottom where it is really clear where you go. Enduro is a lot more raw in that sense and you need to be able to adapt during your run to changes and situations you don't expect. I didn't anticipate the speeds being so fast last year at the EWS either. All the guys are pinned (just like in downhill) so you need to be so fit and still technically solid to do well.
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How has your training regimen changed now that you're focused on a different race format, and what have you been doing over the off-season to prepare for the upcoming season? Making the decision to come and give it all my attention has opened up a new level of motivation for me. I finished up building in December and started to design a program for this season. I've been using the SRM a lot this off season to train with power and I've found that to be so valuable. We also have a lot of enduro races here in NZ so I've picked a few to do which has been great training as well.
Do you have any particular goals for this year? Is there any race that you are especially looking forward to? My goals are to challenge the top guys this year. Last year I was really up and down so to show some more consistency is what I want to do. Being so new to enduro I still don't really have enough races under my belt to have a favorite yet.
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What bike will you be riding? Will you switch models / wheel size depending on the course?I will mainly be racing the Remedy 29er this year. I also have a Slash 650B that I'll use if the course is better suited for it, but after spending so much time on the 29er I feel like I know that bike better.
What's the mountain bike scene like in New Zealand? It seems like there must be some reason that there are so many fast Kiwis on the World Cup circuit. We have a lot of riding here in NZ and the race scene keeps growing. Having space to build tracks without restrictions has been fueling the growth. It seems to me if you have quality trails and keen people that results in producing quality riders.
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You've spent thousands of hours on the road – is there any trick that you've learned or must-have item to help make traveling easier? My SRM. I know a lot of people would say music here but for me training to numbers sets a challenge and the time goes so much faster.
What do you do to pass the time when you're not out riding? My wife, Tory, and I have a building business so there is plenty to keep on top of there. I also really enjoy getting out into the mountains for the odd few days to go hunting. Being able to keep a good stock of organic meat in our freezer is what drives me; both Tory and I enjoy it.
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Have you ever thought about what you'd be doing if you weren't racing? Do you have any aspirations to take on a team manager type of role?At this stage I wouldn't want to be a team manager, who knows, that could change, but I see myself back in the building industry once I have finished racing. It will be driven mostly by wanting to cut down on the travel. To be a team manager I would need to be on the road as much as I am now or move over to the Northern Hemisphere with Tory, which would be a big life change. Who knows, anything can happen.
What will the 2014 season bring for you, any big plans or goals, either on the bike or off? It's going to be a big year this year with lots going on, and yes, I have some goals. A main goal of mine is being able to be a top contender consistently in the Enduro World Series. With taking on a coaching role for Trek World Racing, I really want to be able to help the guys achieve their own personal goals so that is really important to me to work hard for them. Outside of racing my wife Tory and I are starting a family in July so that should be a fair amount to keep us busy. A new little Leov will join us around the same time as the Italian EWS La Thuile so I will be planning to get back to NZ straight after that race to be there.
Any sponsors you'd like to thank and acknowledge? Trek
Trek World Racing
Fox Racing Shox
Bontrager
Shimano
Bluegrass
Adidas
SRM
Author Info:
Member since Aug 7, 2013
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dv56 0.035838
btw - i guess he didn't read that question to the end:"You've spent thousands of hours on the road – is there any trick that you've learned must-have item to help make traveling easier?"