Matt Simmonds 2010 season - Part 1

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.

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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.



Stay tuned for Part 2 in a few weeks time.