Cedric Gracia Interview: MTB's Rock Star!

At Soul-Riders we love Rockstars as much as riders, so why not try and track down mountain bike's version of a rockstar? So we did! Cedric Gracia would have to be MTB's most stand out character and a bloke I'd love to get smashed with at a titty bar somewhere in Europe. Andrew decided to throw the G-man a few Q's to see what makes this guy tick.

SR: So Cedric, first of all, how was your off season? Get up to any mischief but still get in some solid training?

CG: hard off season because i broke my wrist at worlds was so bad and long to recover

SR: Now that we’re already three races into the World Cup Series and only weeks away from the World Championships, where are you at? What is your main focus’s for the moment for both Four Cross & Downhill?

CG: I am getting more focused on 4 cross because I coudn't train enought on my dh tracks

SR: How do you rate you start to the WC series?

CG: no so bad so far but not so lucky in dh finals runs, but not so bad because I can compete after this hard accident!

SR: Australia has a WC Round for the first time in over 10 years, are you exited to head all the way over to try and beat the Aussies on their home turf or you only heading over for the lovely Australian ladies?

CG: probably for both ; )

SR: Have you heard much about the Canberra track which will be used at this years WC Round followed by next years World Championships?

CG: I heard it sucks ass! will see!

SR: You were with Cannondale for quite a while, since jumping on board the Commencal how much are you liking your new team?

CG: it's just diferent, I get more involved in the bike making.

SR: Did you have any input in the design of the new Commencal DH Supreme? Did you have anything specifically you wanted in the model?

CG: I work with the engineers, I tell them what I want and they give me the solution to make it happen! because I am not an engineer ; )

SR: Is there anything different from your bike and the bikes which we see sold around the globe?

CG: I think the geometry is going to be similar

SR: Is there anything on your bike you just have to run, in terms of set up?

CG: slack head angle!

SR: At any typical World Cup event, if you had to choose between racing Four Cross or Downhill, what would you do over the other?

CG: That is my problem, I can't decide? I love both!

SR: Let’s go back in time for a bit, who/what made you decide to get into competitive DH in the first place?

CG: myself because I love this feeling ! I've have it since I was a kid.

SR: Who has been your biggest influence or supporter for you?

CG: familly and friends for sure

SR: What was your first race bike?

CG: Sunn bike

SR: What's your forte? What "sections" are you better at than most?

CG: jumping I am guessing

SR: What's your favorite terrain to race on?

CG: full of jumps of course

SR: Who has been the biggest influence in your success?

CG: friends and dad

SR: On average, how many chicks do you pick up any typical race meeting?

CG: I used to pick up a lot! Now I am not so good, I am old ;)

SR: Who is/are your biggest threat/s this year?

CG: Lopes in 4cross and a lot of them in dh

SR: Any hobbies outside of pushies?

CG: cars, girls of course

SR: You have been around on a world known level for quite some time now, what are some of your favorite highlights from over the years?

CG: Rampage for sure and Fort William

SR: Let talk racing, what’s a typical race weekend for you? [practice, beer, girls, bikes etc.]

CG: practise dh and 4 cross ! racing 4 cross, practise, again dh practise and racing on sunday dh

SR: While you’re in the start gate for your race run, what’s going through your mind? Are you thinking about your run like lines, pedal here etc. or some hot babes?

CG: it's hard to make my mind clear but I think if I do good I can party hard

SR: Now for something different, if you and Nathan Rennie were all greased up, wearing g-strings, who would win the wedgie comp?

CG: Me, because I have a better ass