Video: Live To Ride Featuring Matt Simmonds

Nico films an interview with Matt at his local gym

Tell us a little bit about youself?
Matt Simmonds, born & bred in Telford, Shropshire. 27 years old.

What made you want to become a professional downhill racer?
I get to ride bikes most days! The lifestyle and the need to always improve and better myself.

Is there a lot that goes in behind the scenes before the race season and how beneficial is some of this training?
There’s a lot that goes on before the season kicks off, I go to training camps in Spain and regional races in Portugal. I think the biggest benefit this season was getting to go to the Fox test event, I learned a lot and got my bikes dialed ready for the the season allowing me to come out firing.

Where do you spend most of your time training, what’s more important being on the bike or being in the gym?
Both are really important, I spend a lot of time in the gym during the winter moving to more time on the the bike before the race season.

Tell us a bit about The Wrekin, what does it mean to you and why do you ride there?
The Wrekin is nearest hill for me to ride, there's no uplift but has loads of cool lines to ride. You can go around the world riding bikes, but nothing beats coming back to your local trails.

Doesn't get any closer to action than this

Tell us about Revolution Bike Park and why it's so good for winter training?
Everything from tracks, uplift & tasty burgers, the guys at Revolution have it sorted, which means you can just turn up and enjoy riding…

What would be your most important piece of advice to a young aspiring downhill racer?
Give 100 percent in everything and see where you end up.

How has your year so far and what are you looking forward to?
On the World Cup front I haven’t exactly come out firing like I've wanted. BDS rounds I’ve fared better and I'm currently leading the overall. I'm really looking forward to Fort William World Cup, you can’t beat a home crowd.

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Author Info:

lunatyk
Member since May 4, 2008
92 articles

13 Comments

16 1

krazieghost (Jun 2, 2014 at 21:55)

good ol matt. im glad he's getting some more attention, he seems to be working really hard

klerric (Jun 3, 2014 at 5:52)

Fast rider and jolly nice chap....

frankfitzpatrick (Jun 3, 2014 at 9:32)

really sick edit! matt seems like a top lad and i wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season

ompete (Jun 3, 2014 at 10:15)

I've met him a few times and he's a great bloke, doesn't always get the recognition he deserves.

potthead (Jun 3, 2014 at 18:44)

Great guy and rider, but man oh man are those laser helmets god awful ugly

gongas15 (Jun 3, 2014 at 14:25)

anyone knows what handlebars he is using?

Worm-Burner (Jun 3, 2014 at 3:29)

Awesome Palace of Onan!

jor4s FL (Jun 4, 2014 at 12:35)

Them lazer lids! What are they all about! Shoot the stylist!

malathion (Jun 2, 2014 at 22:52)

that gym is the perfect size. what's that rack next to the photographers left foot in pic 3 ? that's a cool trap bar. just a sweet set-up all round.

gavlaa (Jun 3, 2014 at 0:45)

That gym is definitely missing a smoking hot blonde on a cross trainer in the corner.

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