Getting to Know Angel Suarez
With a successful background in motocross racing in his native Spain, Angel Suarez made the jump to pedal power and downhill racing before making 2015 his first year on the World Cup stage. Taking a top 20 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, which it has to be said, is no mean feat for your first year racing World Cups, let alone in the Elite ranks, this fresh-faced 19-year old inevitably caught the attention of many of the sports key influencers. But when your name comes up in conversation between the likes of Aaron Gwin and Martin Whitely, one of the most successful racers on the circuit and a professional manager responsible for developing the careers of some of the sport's fastest riders no less, it's a good sign that all of your hard work is about to start paying off. Landing a spot on the brand new YT Mob race team for 2016 didn't happen by chance. Angle's raw speed and natural talent are set to catapult him from the super stylish kid during practice to the rider with the speed and determination to put Spain back on the DH racing map.
Who is Angel Suarez?I'm a happy Spanish boy that loves to ride his downhill bike. I come from a family that is really involved in motocross, which I have been racing for a lot of years with some great results, but because of some issues, I stopped... So after some time off I started to go with some friends to ride some bikes and finally I started to race downhill. At the moment, I'm on my second full year on the World Cup circuit, and I'm 20-years old.
Where are you from and where do you live?I'm from the Northwest of Spain in a city called Vigo. It’s a really nice place to live. I have really good places to ride my bike there so that’s perfect. It rains a lot in winter but I like to ride in the mud so that's good for me. There were some World Cup races in Vigo some years ago which is pretty cool.
Who do you ride for?I ride for The YT Mob team and that's amazing - such a good team and an amazing crew. All the stuff is awesome but the best thing of all is the people on the team.
Where are you happiest?I’m happiest where I am right now, writing these answers for you guys here in Leogang, just waiting for practice on Friday. I really enjoy being at home but racing is amazing because it takes me to really good places for riding my bike.
What’s been your favourite race venue?This one is difficult because I like nearly all the World Cup races and all the races have differences. If I need to choose one, I think that it's Andorra because there always are a lot of Spanish people there sending you good vibes. There is also an amazing crowd and the track is insanely steep and fast.
Where are your favourite trails?They are in the North of Portugal really near to my house in a place called Ponte de Lima. There is a bike park there that is open all year and they have nine different tracks. So for me, Bike Park Ponte de Lima is the place!!
What are your strengths?I don’t really know but I always feel really good on the fastest sections, in corners, and on big jumps.
What are your weaknesses?It's been the pedaling so far but I'm much better on that now, so maybe it’s general fitness because I can't ride 100% of my technique on a full run, but I'm trying to change that! I’ve been having some problems on rock gardens when they’re wet but nothing important haha.
What’s been your worst crash over the years?I had a lot of crashes when I was riding motocross with some broken bones and also in DH but the worst one was three years ago with a luxation of my femur.
What’s been your luckiest escape?It was last season. I had a big crash during training and my hand went off the handlebar on the landing of a big jump and had a big crash... Thankfully I walked away uninjured.
What bikes are you riding right now?So this year I'm lucky to ride a YT Industries Tues and Capra, but I'm really looking forward to riding the new Jeffsy, that bike looks incredible too.
Who’s your favourite rider?The first one that I ever liked was Greg Minnaar. I really like how he rides the bike - really clean and smooth but the best one is Aaron Gwin, he's really smart on the bike. He’s done amazing things during the years and I know that he will do more.
Who or what inspires you?The feeling that I have when I ride the bike, that makes me feel free.
What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?I continue to enjoy to ride motocross but it's nearly the same thing as riding bikes, so I enjoy going out with my girl and my friends but I can be happy with my bike all day.
What are you listening to right now?I know that is going to be funny but I’ve been listening to a lot to the last Justin Bieber album... I like Drake a lot too.
What’s your favourite movie/ TV show?We have a really funny TV show in Spain called 'La Que Se Avecina' and it’s the only TV Show I watch.
What’s your favourite non-bike website?I'm 20 years old... what do you think hahaha!
What’s your favourite motto or saying?“I like, I like”... just this one and only when I really like something.
What grinds your gears?Results for sure, especially when I don't get what I want. My father sometimes but I love him, and the people that drive really badly.
What makes you happy?All the people that I have around me, my bikes, and my bed.
If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?I don't really know. I'm a lucky man now but maybe working with my father in his motorbike and bicycle shop.
If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?Pull the chains off the bikes and just ride the steep tracks on the World Cup. That would be awesome.
When you hang up your racing shoes, how do you want to be remembered?For me, it’s not important. This is something that I don't think about. I want to enjoy racing as much as possible because I really like to have the opportunity that I have, so just being respectful with the people around me and enjoy it!
What does the future hold for Angel Suarez?I hope many good years of racing and good results, that's what I'm looking for.
MENTIONS: @YTIndustries / @BellBikeHelmets / @oakley / @crankbrothers / @foxracingshox / @AlpinestarsMTB
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Member since Jun 8, 2005
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Generation Y riders : Rage Against The Machine, The Prodigy, Wolfmother...
Generation Z riders : Justin Bieber.
PS: Maybe I should try, as he is way faster than me!
I don't care if you're Ryan Villopoto, no matter how much MX riding/racing you have in your background, hopping on a MTB/DH bike and instantly qualifying/racing in World Cup DH is HEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUGE!
Lol
He just has the leader's jersey all the time, which is white. True story.