We’re 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!
Starting this week off is Miss Katy Winton, this former XC whippet turned enduro racer is now the UK’s highest ranked Enduro World Series rider!
2016 is almost at an end. Was it a good year for you?
Yeah, it was so cool! Racing for Trek Factory Racing and getting to ride their amazing bikes all over the world was so good! The season was a bit up and down but plenty of learning and more experience banked!
With off-season in full effect, have you been relaxing or smashing out the intervals?
A little relaxing, plenty of fun and variety but no intervals just yet!
Favourite ride/race from this season and why?
The TweedLove King and Queen of the Hill, a race at home and a chance to catch up with everyone plus the trails in perfect soaking wet muddy conditions! After a summer of dry, dusty riding there was something so nice about riding in conditions that just speak my language. Sounds ridiculous but it was just effortless racing in slop and so much fun I really enjoyed it!
Worst race/ride and why?
The rest of the EWS season after Ireland… I was putting down my best week-in, week-out and had what I thought was a good run only for the clock to say differently. It was a tough pill to swallow that my best right now wasn’t where I wanted/hoped it would be, but that allowed me to find a lot of the missing puzzle pieces to work on for next year which is exciting!
What was the last ride/race where you finished running on fumes?
I think I managed to avoid that this year. There were a couple of races after Finale that I was going to do but realised that I actually just needed to rest so I went on some other adventures instead!
3 top tunes of your year?
What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
Coming into the season more prepared. Oooo exciting!
What’s on your Christmas list?
A cat or a dog… That’s in my dreams though, haha! I have found this bright yellow adventure jacket I’m keen for but I’ll settle for a day eating food and staying cosy by the fire with my family. My brother is coming back so there will no doubt be a wee family spin, that kinda Christmas day makes me beyond happy.
Will you be eating sprouts with your Christmas dinner?
Nope haha, they have the same boke effect as raw tomatoes for me… No pomodoro, Merci.
What will your New Year’s Resolution be?
Carpe Diem… Do it now, don’t wait until new year to change. I’m trying to be less busy… I’m a do’er I like being busy but my body and coach are less keen, haha! REST!
What’s your number one stand out moment from this year?
Standing at the top of a hill on Skye once the dust had settled after the season… Escaping on a yolo solo trip up north, living the simple life out of the van was just what I needed. Going somewhere that makes you and your life feel so small and insignificant gives you a great perspective. That wee trip charged my batteries and filled me with life and freedom. It’s good to make time for different things, variety is the spice of life after all!
Name one rider to keep a keen eye on for 2017.
One rider? Aw man this is hard. Can I just say the EWS womens field? Next year Cecile, Isabeu, Anneke and Ines will be hot contenders but we’ll have also have Andréane Lanthier Nadeau (3rd in La Thuile) and Rae Morrison back from injury, the (Gehrig) Twins are on amazing form, Bex Baroana has the hunger to be right up there again and Casey Brown will be back for some more too so I think the racing is going to be really exciting!
