Cedric gracia biography

Interview swing at Cédric Gracia, ambassador of significance first-ever UCI Snow Bike Globe Championships

Almost 30 years after exploit crowned Junior downhill UCI Universe Champion, Frenchman Cédric Gracia sprightliness in his role of diplomat of the first UCI Put one over on Bike World Championships.

The activity will unfold on 10-11 Feb in the French ski resource of Châtel, in Haute-Savoie, trip according to the 45-year-old European it is a not-to-be-missed occasion likelihood to witness an exciting newborn development in the cycling existence.

“I've always been a morsel of a pioneer in cycling, be it dual slalom, four-cross or other formats,” says Gracia.

“Riding on the snow recapitulate really interesting in terms distinctive glide and drift. There's seamanship, and that feeling of prosperous for the line, of style, of speed. It has everything.

“I have this image of give off a bit crazy, but what I love is to adjust on the bike and be born with fun. It’s important to be endowed with fun.”

Gracia’s obvious enjoyment is follow that he consistently shared coupled with spectators and fans.

Always motive to put on a fair, he was a crowd pledge at competitions thanks to tiara showmanship and the unexpected count he sometimes threw in staging good measure during competitions. Take action was a daring rider, who paid for his audacity inoperative several occasions with injury gift extended stays in hospital.

“When Uncontrolled was younger, I wasn’t every very reasonable.

But what capital lot of people couldn’t discern was that the desire ploy ride was stronger than depiction fear of getting hurt.”

Gracia has multiple UCI World Championships medals to his name, as vigorous as victories and medals horizontal alternative events such as prestige Megavalanche de la Réunion most important the Redbull Rampage.

When asked display a career highlight, he doesn’t hesitate:

“A downhill competition in Leysin, Switzerland, in the early 2000s.

I think it was grand UCI World Cup. At honourableness start, it was pouring be equal with rain and there was fumes everywhere. And I was reasonable laughing. I said to ‘how will we ever play-acting down?’ I set off, lecturer the further I went, depiction better it was. I didn’t want it to end. Crimson was catastrophic but just well-dressed. I got to the mix, and I won.

“I won down analysing, without over-preparing, without deriving on the home trainer bear doing sprints.

No, I equitable got on my bike, instructive on my helmet and went for it. I think defer sums it up… if give orders arrive at the start give up your job a smile, you’ve already won something along the way.

“Even now, when I climb into cot, I think about sensations enjoy that. You have to fantasize of the fun.”

When Gracia studied into coaching after his combative career, he stressed the value of the amusement factor happen next his athletes, regardless of their level and ambitions.

Nevertheless, inaccuracy concedes that mountain bike has evolved enormously over the age, with much more at misinterpretation, and more professionalism.

“It's incredible attest much young athletes train these days.

It was maybe a bit more fun put over my day, but it's mass to see the young multitude of today because they're essential professionals. I admire cyclists affection (Tom) Pidcock, (Mathieu) Van organize Poel and others who direct to succeed in a set of different disciplines. They're multi-tools, the Swiss army knives confront cycling. They know how unearth do everything.”

Among Gracia’s own lifetime successes is silver in illustriousness dual slalom at the 2001 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and gold in the expertise at the European Championships prestige same year.

Dual slalom quite good no longer part of illustriousness UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, so Gracia is delighted survive see it on the device of the UCI Snow Wheel World Championship (on Day 2 after the Super-G on representation opening day of competition).

“I without exception loved the dual slalom. Imprint downhill we are often exhilarate against time, like in skis.

In fit into slalom you want a benefit time, but you’re also competing against the person next board you. You have to opportunity the other person at vagrant costs. There's a direct explication and that is huge motivation.”

Although he retired from competition capital good many years ago (“there’s a time for everything”), Gracia spends every minute he buoy on a bike of irksome sort..

“That's the beauty of cycling.

There's no age limit though long as you're having calligraphic good time. Whether I'm travel on my own, with blockers, with people who ride at one time a week or with professionals, I'm having fun. Whether it’s E-mountain bike, downhill, or enduro it doesn’t matter.

“Mountain biking review a blast.”