Andy Shaw
Interview by Benn Thombs
Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you World No 4: Mr. Andy Shaw
AGE: 32
SPONSORS/BIKE: SE Racing/Floval flyer
HOW IS THIS YEAR GOING FOR YOU SO FAR?: 2006 has been my best year so far, I started off making a final at the indoor race in St Etienne during the winter. Then got 2nd & 4th in Germany at the euro round, then won both days in Hungary at the next round. Then made both finals at the euros in cheddar and 4th in the world final in Brazil. Also been making finals in 19+ at the national series, got 2nd at the last round in Decoy! so pretty Good.
HOW DID IT FEEL DOING SO WELL AT THE EUROS ON 20 AND 24" AND THEN TWO WEEKS LATER FLYING OUT TO BRAZIL AND COMING AWAY WITH A WORLD NUMBER 4?: I was stoked to say the least. I made a euro main in 1998 and have been trying hard to make another one since. So when i made both finals in Cheddar i was buzzing. Got 5th on 20" and 6th on cruiser. Then the worlds, what can i say I've been trying all my life to make a world main, came close in Paris last year but got it together this year. Dream come true!!
I HEARD ALOT OF RIDERS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACK, WHAT WAS IT ACTUALLY LIKE?: To be honest i thought the track was good, only problem was it was too long.430meters, which is about 70meters longer than we're used to. So it was pretty hard on the fitness, the biggest problem was the recovery between races which wasn't long enough. They rushed all the challenge classes through so they could get the pro's on which i thought was bad!
HOW WAS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, ANY STORIES TO TELL US?: Brasil was an amazing place, we prepared for the race by spending 3 days in rio,I was there with my tour Buddy Marco Dell'sola we met up with Todd Lyons And Jason Carnes over there. A lot of stories but what can i say you just had to be there!! We then travelled to Sau Paulo for the race, which was the craziest busiest city
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN A LONG SERVANT TO BMX RACING SO HEARS SOME QUESTIONS FOR BACK IN THE DAY.....WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY DID YOU START RACING?: Started racing when i was 9 at the Wordsley Warriors BMX Club,my brother started before me so that got me into it.
WHO WERE YOUR MAIN RIVALS IN YOUR AGE GROUP BACK THEN?: I only raced at regionals for the first few years, you didn't need to do nationals as there were so many races locally.A few names spring to mind: Andrew Jackson ,Steven Reade, Mark Gleed.
WHO DID YOU LOOK UP TO AND WHY?: Back then it was guys from Wordsley, Whoppa Watkins cos he used to win by the last straight, Anthony Butt cos he always looked rad, steve Bigland and a guy who used to live up the road from me who came from nowhere to start winning at nationals, Markus Anke
FAVOURITE TRACK BACK THEN?: High Wycombe
YOUR BEST RACE AND WHY?: The best race atmosphere wise was the worlds last year in Paris. from a racing point of view it would my W4 in Brazil, but previous to that the euros in Germany in 1998.I got 3rd in the 19+ final, to this day i will never forget coming round the 2nd corner and all the english were cheering for me, Marco, martin murray, stephen murray, Dale etc. Still gives me goose bumps now!!
WHAT TEAMS HAVE YOU RIDDEN FOR?: I had a ride on Webco off Ant Revell for a season at the end of the 90's and then nothing till last year when i got a ride off shiners on SE. I'm riding for them again this year and hopefully next year , I love the floval flyer!! Big thanks to shiners for the last two years!!
TITLES AND WINS?: Never won any titles, I was always happy to just make mains. Got my first national win in 2004 on 20" at Burnham after 20years of trying, I was stoked!! Had a few cruiser wins since and then the two wins in Hungary. Also won a euro round in Norway in 2004!
WHATS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE BIKE OVER ALL THESES YEARS?: I'd say the floval flyer i'm riding now.
YOUR WORST CRASH?: The worlds in Holland in 2004, went over the bars in my 1st moto and dislocated and broke my wrist in two places, Ouch!! nine months off the bike .
YOU RACED NONE STOP SINCE THE MID EIGHTES HAVENT YOU? WAS IT HARD TO CONTINUE WHEN RACING WAS AT ITS LOW POINT?: Not really i always loved going racing, was great to get away each weekend and see a different crowd of people. Yeh I've raced non stop since 84,still lovin it.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED QUITTING AT ANY STAGE?: Quitting!! Never it’s in the blood I love it more every year that goes by!!
HOW LONG DID YOU RACE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL (PRO/ELITE)?: Probably about three years. I made a couple of finals.
NAME SOME OF THE RIDERS YOU WERE UP AGAINST WHEN YOU RACED PRO?: Dylan, Martin Murray, Dale, Scott Edgworth, Rob Indri.
YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A REGULAR AT INTERNATIONALS, ESPECIALLY RECENTLY. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL RACES?: I like going to new countries, riding good tracks, meeting up with friends I've made over the years, and most of all watching quality racing.
WHATS THE THREE BEST COUNTRIES YOUVE RACED IN?: France, Norway and Brazil.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE BRITISH CYCLING SET UP NOW?: Its getting better, I’m glad to see that Kelvin, Bloomy, Liam & Shanaze are getting the support they deserve, they've all got huge talent. It’s just all been a bit late happening, the talent team needs to get the up and coming riders to as many internationals as possible, not enough of our riders race abroad. The tracks in England are shocking too compared with the rest of europe.In my opion we have only two quality tracks to ride on they are Burham and Cheddar. Hopefully Redditch will be the 3rd.The people i speak to in Europe are amazed at the amount of money that gets wasted on these poor standard tracks that we seem to race on week in week out. we need some better facilities if we are to compete with the rest of the BMX world!!
AND BMX RACING IN THE OLYMPICS?: Finally our sport will get the recognition it deserves, 2008 needs to be an amazing success and an awesome spectacle. In turn the sport can only benefit from the increased public awareness. Let’s hope it’s a success and hopefully we will see the standard of our tracks improve in readiness for 2012 London.
CAN YOU SEE ANY STARS OF THE FUTURE IN THE YOUNGER RANKS (APART FROM SHANAZE COS SHE ALREADY IS ONE)?: Shanaze is awesome she beats us 19+ boys every week, got a lot of respect for her. other riders i can see potential in are the young profile guy Masterson, Lewis Lacey who rides junior in europe, hopefully he will break through next year, Callum strickland is going fast this year. We had a few youngsters in the euro mains at cheddar i hope BC will target these riders and coach them to be stars of the future.
WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS NOW YOU HAVE YOUR WORLD NO4?: Now I've made one I'd like to make another so Canada 2007 it is!! I just wanna keep riding and hopefully keep travelling (just as long as my girlfriend doesn't get sick of me leaving her behind).She's very understanding i have to say and she supports me all the way. so thanks Rachel I love you lots!I just love riding hopefully i can keep doing so and keep the dream alive!!
ANY WORDS OF ADVICE OR ENCOURAGMENT FOR OUR READERS ?: Just enjoy riding BMX its been the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. It’s took me to some great places and allowed me to meet some sound people and given me some memories i will never forget!!
PICK YOUR PREFERENCE...................CLIPS OR FLATS?: For me Flats (although may have been W1 if i'd clipped in)
LIGHTS OR BEEPS?: Lights
TIM MARCH OR ANDY RUFFELL?: Tim March
BUBBA OR BENNETT?: Met em both at worlds both amazing riders (if you haven't seen them then buy a transit DVD)
DYLAN OR DALE?: Both Good Friends of mine
UKBMX OR BRITISH CYCLING?: Didn't race UKBMX so BC
COCKS MOOR OR BRUM WHEELS?: Cocks Moor
NAME YOUR DREAM GATE OF 8 FROM PAST AND PRESENT?
1.Whoppa Watkins (HALFORDS)
2.Harry Leary (DIAMOND BACK)
3.Gary Ellis (GT)
4.Mike Day (REDBULL)
5.Dylan Clayton (SUNN DREAM TEAM)
6.Michael Prokop (AUTHOR-any bike any weekend)
7.Bubba Harris (REDLINE)
8.Cristophe Leveque (SUNN DREAM TEAM)
ANY THANK YOUS ETC?: Thanks to shiners for my SE deal the last two years, and to anyone that knows me in BMX. I've had some great times long may they continue!!
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