Why do you ride: Because I enjoy riding and training hard to get results.
What/who started you racing: Dad, who also encouraged me to enter my first race and I've been hooked ever since.
Weakness: Flat sections with long seated power.
Marital status: In a relationship.
Most important people in your life and career: My parents and sisters, David Plew my coach for the past 15 years, my girlfriend...can't forget her ;) Everyone else who has helped me get to where I am now.
Racing since: 11 years old
Professional since: 2012
Best part of racing: The feeling you get when you win.
Hardest part: Getting back into it after the off season, or after injury.
Worst moment in career: 2016 was a disaster of a year for me especially coming off the back of my World Championship win in 2015. Illness and fatigue kept me on the sidelines for almost the whole year and I had to come home early for surgery to remove my adenoids, thus ending my dream of starting in Rio for the Olympics.
Best moment in career: Winning my first World Championships, Commonwealth Games Gold and my second World title, this time in the Under 23 Category. Also my podium results at World Cup rounds and representing my country at the Tokyo Olympic Games, coming away with a 6th place.
General career goals: To win U23 and Elite World Titles, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games
Favourite food: Roast lamb and kumara; fish & chips, meat pies (all good Kiwi classics!)
Favourite reading: Car magazines (Top Gear, Motor Mag, NZ performance car)
Favourite music: Anything and everything, Rap, Rock, chilled music… doesn’t matter!
Best idea of having good time: Driving fast cars with my mates, music turned up. Adventuring in the hills, backcountry NZ.
Favourite places to travel to: Anywhere in NZ, Australiam Spain, Italy, USA.
Most respected mountain bike riders: Julien Absalon, Nino Schurter
Other most respected athletes: Richie McCaw (Rugby) Brendon McCullum (Cricket) and Hamish Bond (Rowing/Cycling)
Favourite riding spots and courses: North Canterbury, Craigieburn/Mt Cheeseman trails, Port Hills and Central Otago (NZ). Favourite race courses are Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada and and Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
Advice to beginners: Keep persevering. Work on your skills. Chat to the pros. Keep it fun.
Other sports: Cross country running, Tennis
Other interests: Cars, Tramping (that's New Zealand for bushwalking/hiking), fast cars and good music.
If I was not a professional mountain biker: I'd be studying or working outdoors
Objectives for 2022:
- Medal at World Champs
- Gold at the Commonwealth Games
- Win a World Cup round
- Top 5 in World Cup overall
23 Degrees Sports Management S.L.