By Ryan Cleek
Mountain Bike racing officially kicks off next week with the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, and who better to give us an outlook on the upcoming race season than reigning Mountaincross National Champion Brian Lopes. We caught up with Brian to hear how he spent his off-season, and what he?s looking forward to in 2005.
MBA: You wrapped up the 2004 season with the mountaincross national championship. How have you enjoyed the off-season?
BL: In the off-season I ride as much moto as I can. My backyard mountain bike course is gone, and I turned it into a mini bike track. I took a few vacations with my wife, and was the best man in my friend Steve Blick?s wedding in Hawaii. We did a NorCal trip up to Yosemite, and did some riding up at Sand Hill Ranch. I also did the San Francisco Supercross Crossover Challenge race. I finished fourth, but was winning until I crashed on the last lap. After that we went up to Bend, Oregon for some more riding. I recently sold my house in Trabuco Canyon, and bought one in San Clemente, California.
I haven?t been to the BMX track much this year, but will start going soon. I?ve been busy promoting the book I wrote with Leigh McCormack, Mastering Mountain Bike Skills, across the country. I signed 400 copies of the book at a bike shop in Boulder, and met the publisher a week later in Toronto.
I?ve been doing some photo shoots and filming with Richie Schley and Robbie Bourdon, and riding a lot with John Cowan. I?ve also been riding a lot of cross-country, and since I live only few minutes from GT, I can work with the engineers on my race bikes and help with production bikes too.
MBA: It?s been a couple of years since you?ve been healthy to race the Sea Otter Classic, what are you most looking forward to this year?
BL: The Sea Otter?s always a good time, and should be fun this year. I?m doing the Downhill Omnium and will race downhill, mountaincross and slalom. This Thursday I?m taking off to Mexico for one of Hans Rey?s riding adventures. Three of us our making the trip, Hans, April Lawyer and myself, so it will be a good chance to do something cool besides racing. We?re taking a photographer so we can get some good shots in a scenic environment. As soon as I get back from that trip, I pack up and head to the Sea Otter.
MBA: How does the GT/Hyundai squad look this year?
BL: My long-time mechanic Stikman retired, so GT/Hyundai picked up Monkey (Chris Vasquez). We also have a few new riders, downhill racer Dave Wardell from the UK, and freerider Chris Smith. We also picked up Australian Bryn Atkinson. He?s a cool kid, and a really good young rider. Hopefully he?ll get some good results and GT can keep him around for a while.
MBA: Are you going to be racing anything other than mountaincross in the NORBA series this year?
BL: I?ll race primarily mountaincross, but will do a few downhills this year. I?ll race the championship round at Mammoth, but at this point in my career I?m not into the gnarly courses. I plan on having my downhill bike at each race. I will do the NORBA series, and a variety of other events. It depends on my sponsors, really. GT?s my bike sponsor, but I have seven other ones who like me to represent them at select events. I have a travel budget from my sponsors to get me to different races and festivals.
MBA: Have you put much time on the gearbox downhill bike?
BL: I?ve got a little time on the gearbox bike, but the first production models were a bit off on geometry. The front triangle has been revised and is a lot better. I?ve found it hard to get back into downhill. It?s kind of a pain in the butt to shuttle up and down the trail. I?d rather spend time on my bike than driving up hills.
MBA: Who is going to be your toughest competition this year?
BL: Michael Prokop.
MBA: Where can your fans expect to see you race this year?
BL: I?ll race the NORBA series, a few World Cups, and festivals like the Sea Otter, Crankworx in Whistler, and Joyride in Kamloops, B.C.
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