Weโre counting down to Christmas with 12 of our favourite UK pro riders.
Does Manon like sprouts? Does Ratboy love a roast? Does Peaty get presents? Tune in to find out!
Our first gent and second in our 12 Pros series is 2015 Red Bull Hardline winner, Ruaridh Cunningham.
Ruaridh Cunningham is a dark horse. Definitely one to let the riding do the talking, the Tweed Valley resident has a wicked turn of speed. 2007 Junior Downhill World Champion on home turf, 2015 Hardline winner and Tweedlove EWS stage winner and top 5 finisher overall are but a few of the highlights of his career.
2016ย is almost at an end. Was it a good year for you?
Yeah I thought it was a pretty solid year. I achieved some goals I set out for myself ย and had a blast. There were obviously some parts that didn’t go to plan but you learn from your mistakes and I’ve figured out where to improve for next season.
With off-season in full effect, have you been relaxing or smashing out the intervals?
When the season finished my days consisted mostly of motocross and skatepark. In the back of my head I knew there was a potential shoulder operation on the cards and I had that done on 2nd November. The op was a success and I’m now building back so I can get back on a bike as soon as possible.
Favourite ride/race from this season and why?
Hardline. It’s unlike anything else we race. Everyone helps each other out and the atmosphere is super relaxed. Getting sideways on those big jumps is the most fun you can have on a bike!
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool, shot by Sven Martin.
Worst race/ride and why?
Probably Andorra. I had the chance to get into the top 20 overall and I blew it by crashing.
What was the last ride/race where you finished running on fumes?
Whistler EWS. It was like 35c all day. I wasย so spent I ended up drinking from streams during liaisons and surviving feed station to feed station. Then finishing with the 25min final stage. I was toast, barely had the energy to drink my beer at the finish.
3 top tunes of your year?
What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
A fresh start and an amazing opportunity.
What’s on your Christmas list?
A new KTM and a Mac Book would be nice! Haha! Usually just something fun that keeps me occupied whilst the turkeys cooking. Last year I got a remote control helicopter that lasted 24 hours before it crash landed into the fireplace.
Will you be eating sprouts with your Christmas dinner?
Hell yes. Direct from the garden. Sweetened by the frost!
Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool, shot by Sven Martin.
What will your New Year’s Resolution be?
Try not to be late for everything. My timekeeping is terrible. I sometimes wonder if I just enjoy the rush of being late.
What’s your number one stand out moment from this year?
Getting 9th at Lenzerheide World Cup.
Name one rider to keep a keen eye on for 2017.
Kenta Gallagher.
You can follow Ruaridhโs progress through the winter months and 2017โs race season on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Keep an eye out for our remaining 10ย Pros of Christmasย that weโll be rolling out through December.
