Lance McDermott: Back from Injury.
It's been 1 year since Lance McDermott last showed off his skills in a contest. A broken leg sustained in a BMX crash June 2009 (See it in the video), followed by a major failure in his first operation has had Lance sitting on the sideline watching on so far in 2010. Despite signing a deal for the newly revitalized UK brand Saracen in 2010 it is only now he is getting his leg back over a bike and pushing towards the standard of riding we all know him for. A few weeks ago I headed to meet Lance, shoot some video and see him as he pushes back towards full fitness in an attempt to be able to compete at Crankworx in a few weeks.
Video, Photos and Interview inside,
The main object of the trip was to shoot the video on Lance as he talks about his recovery and feature a bit of riding as he got back to a level of fitness in which he could throw down a few tricks. Needless to say I threw a few quick questions his way for you too!
Where have you been for the past year?
Injured! Trying to recover from a broken leg & then finding out the doctor had done the op wrong so had to have a 2nd op!
When was your last contest?
FISE 2009
![photo]()
How difficult has it been to come back from such a long time off your bike?
It's been very hard, but nothing will stop me from doing what I love. 2011 will be Lance McDermott back on top.
When will we see you back at a contest?
Crankworx 2010, but nothing too serious as I will not be back to 100%, but 2011 will be the year to watch.
Are you apprehensive about returning to competition?
Not at all! It's what I do it's what makes me love this sport. I always get nervous before a contest, but that's normal I guess?
![photo]()
Tell us about your new deal with Saracen Bikes this year?
This has to be the biggest thing in mountain biking for me after such a big injury and changing sponsor. It's such a big challenge to come back and once again show that I am the top dog! Saracen are such a brilliant company and the bikes ride so well, I can't see anything that can hold me back! Fingers crossed no more broken bones.
![photo]()
Saracen have been around a long time, but have only recently entered the freeride/All Mountain market with some good equipment, have you had much influence on design and spec of the bikes?
Yeh it's great, I have been working along side Simon Wild, the Designer of the new Saracen range and we have come up with some super cool & affordable bikes that work and you will know what I mean when you ride one.
![photo]()
What does the future hold for you?
PODIUMS!
Anyone to thank?
All my sponsors, but especially my family, Mum, Dad, Girlfriend & beautiful little boy Lucius AKA Futures number one.
![photo]()
Video, Photos and Interview inside,
The main object of the trip was to shoot the video on Lance as he talks about his recovery and feature a bit of riding as he got back to a level of fitness in which he could throw down a few tricks. Needless to say I threw a few quick questions his way for you too!
Where have you been for the past year?
Injured! Trying to recover from a broken leg & then finding out the doctor had done the op wrong so had to have a 2nd op!
When was your last contest?
FISE 2009
Didn't take him long to get the hand plant dialed again!
How difficult has it been to come back from such a long time off your bike?
It's been very hard, but nothing will stop me from doing what I love. 2011 will be Lance McDermott back on top.
When will we see you back at a contest?
Crankworx 2010, but nothing too serious as I will not be back to 100%, but 2011 will be the year to watch.
Are you apprehensive about returning to competition?
Not at all! It's what I do it's what makes me love this sport. I always get nervous before a contest, but that's normal I guess?
Flare
Tell us about your new deal with Saracen Bikes this year?
This has to be the biggest thing in mountain biking for me after such a big injury and changing sponsor. It's such a big challenge to come back and once again show that I am the top dog! Saracen are such a brilliant company and the bikes ride so well, I can't see anything that can hold me back! Fingers crossed no more broken bones.
Saracen have been around a long time, but have only recently entered the freeride/All Mountain market with some good equipment, have you had much influence on design and spec of the bikes?
Yeh it's great, I have been working along side Simon Wild, the Designer of the new Saracen range and we have come up with some super cool & affordable bikes that work and you will know what I mean when you ride one.
What does the future hold for you?
PODIUMS!
Anyone to thank?
All my sponsors, but especially my family, Mum, Dad, Girlfriend & beautiful little boy Lucius AKA Futures number one.
Author Info:
Member since Jan 8, 2008
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At his level of the sport you'd think he'd be a little more, comfortable? Lots of riders come back from injury and still manage to ride quickly.
Although, his park riding is still sweet as, all I'm saying is he is barely an all round, unlike [for instance] Olly Wilkins, Aaron Chase, Brandon Semenuek [or however he ruddy spells it] or on another level - the Athertons [And they prove even after injury you can maintain some level of EPIC on a bike].
I heard a story from a mate who went to Whistler and was with Steve Smith when he and Lance McDermott had an altercation. Steve went up to lance because lance was being his usual arrogant self and said to him "front flips are f*cking gay", so lance headbutted him in the face! Then all these other guys jumped on him and held lance and steve back so a massive fight didn't erupt.
Maybe we're just taking it the wrong way, but people like McCaul never brag about themselves, and that's probably why everyone likes him!
personally, I love frontflips! my mate benny phillips ( www.pinkbike.com/video/131034 ) is the first mountain biker in the world to land a front flip tail whip, was amazing to watch.
Those trails at the end are just like my local woods at home, nice to see lance hitting the smaller UK stuff like im used to