INTRO
This Tuesdays 10 racer interview is with one of the most watched BMX racers (2010) in the World!

As I sat down to write the Intro I was looking at his results. It became clear he has worked hard at being one step ahead of his competitors and he is getting himself in a position for battle in several chases.

No Intro needed his results speak for themselves!


Welcome to the World of SAM WILLOUGHBY!(AUS)
2009
Junior Worlds Champ.
3rd UCI Oceania Overall Ranking
6th ABA Pro

2010
Leader in the UCI Ranking! DR, Strombergs 2nd and 3rd.
The “only” Rider to make both days mains at the ABA Pro UCI Series races this year.
Note: Sam has made all the mains. Stumpfhauser, Bercerine, and Donny Robinson have made all but 1 from a field average of 35 riders. Max was 45 riders.
Currently 3rd in the ABA.

Basics!
GRH
How did you find BMX racing?
SAM
When I was 6 in primary school, one morning in the bulletin they read that there was a come and try race at Happy Valley BMX track (my local track in Australia). So I went and loved it and have raced since.
____
GRH
When was your first Race and how did it go?
SAM
It was in the winter at Happy Valley BMX track I was on a 16" bike and it was muddy as hell. I remember racing in a bright fluorescent yellow tracksuit cause my Mum said its muddy you have to wear old clothes haha. Anyway I ended up winning the race spinning my but off around the whole track. I even beat my older brother Matt.
_____
GRH
How long did it take to become a contender from a local racer?
SAM
About 1 year. I raced my first national championships a year later in Perth Australia.
_____
GRHWho were the guys you looked up to?
SAM
When I first started it was always Australian Pro Darren Hawkins and Joey Bradford from the USA.
""""""""""""""

“Tuesdays 10”
GRH
Sam, When did you realize BMX was going to become a major roll in your life. How were you doing in racing and what results were you getting?

SAM
I think it was always a dream to be apart of my life, it hit home however when I went to my first big over sea's race in 2006 at the Brazil Worlds. I got to see all these top top riders from around the world that I had idealized all my life. After that race my mind was made up, I finished 3rd there in 15 boys but the amount of determination I got from that race was unreal. I wanted to be just like all the top elite’s were. I got put on the Australian National team and I was a kid on a mission from there.
_________________
GRH
How was racing in Australia and when did you start to travel to other countries? What were the first races you traveled to and how did you do?

SAM
Racing in Australia has always been great to me and has set me up for a great future. I started racing over seas in 2007 after the Canada worlds. The first ever big international races I went to were Brazil worlds 06, Canada Worlds 07 and Japan Oceanic rounds 07. Since then I have had the travel bug bad.
____________________
GRH
How does it feel to be racing on a global level today with the UCI races? You are spending lots of time in the US, is the ABA title a major goal? Why?

SAM
It’s a dream come true really. Racing around the world was what I always told my parents that I wanted to do. It has been amazing racing and spending time over here in the US, I love the people, love the racing and now have a great group of people behind me over here which is really nice to know. The ABA title has definitely become a huge priority for me especially in the 2010 season. I will be hitting all the rounds and plan to contest for the title.
_______________
GRH
With today’s demands on a rider are you getting support from Australia? Australia was one of the first countries to challenge US riders and take things to a higher level. Are things still looking good for riders coming up in Australia chasing the big BMX dream?

SAM
Australia has supported me well in the past. Unfortunately due to their new selection criteria they are not going to be supporting me as much for the world cup races this year. Lucky for me I am fortunate enough to be on board the Factory Redline team who will be packing me fully through till 2012 and beyond.

Australia however does have a great program and will continue to develop more great riders. I just hope they find ways to be more supportive in different pathways. e.g. racing overseas full time.
_____________________
GRH
What 3 or 4 key events/results happened for you last year? Are you the type that sets goals and did you meet those goals?

SAM
I set of a lot of goals short and long term. Last year I had three major goals! Win the Supercross overall, Win the Junior World title “again” and finish top 3 in the ABA series. I got 2 out of 3 in the World Title and Supercross title. I finished 5th in ABA so I wasn't far off. I was happy with last year’s season but obviously not satisfied.
_____________________
GRH
Top riders today have many demands and approach getting results many different ways. How much time do you spend training a week? Where do you train when you are not traveling? How much weight and other training do you do? Do you eat healthy?

SAM
Everyone is coming up with "new and improved" ways of training all the time. Myself and my coach Wade Bootes now have a pretty good idea of what works best for me after 4 year of being together. I would spend between 18 and 20 hours a week training. When I am traveling I try to be as creative as possible which I have become a lot better at over the past 18 months. I am always working with Wade being creative and innovative to change things when needed. I have been known to do plyos on rocks, toilets, you name it haha. As far as eating is concerned I eat reasonably healthy. I am not diehard about it though. At the Olympics we are riding down a two-story high ramp! a couple of double doubles wont hurt will they????
________________
GRH
Are you focusing on key events for 2010 or are you taking it week by week? Did you set any goals for this year? How are you planning to reach those goals?

SAM
I Definitely set some key goals this year, obviously I plan to back up the World and Supercross titles! Another key focus for me is putting Redline on top of the ABA podium again. In order to achieve these I just have to stick to my plan and keep chipping away at my processes and it will work out.
__________________
GRH
The Olympics! What was your take on the last games? And, Was it good for the sport! Are you planning to be a contender in 2012?

SAM
I think Beijing was great for BMX, my take on the games was carnage. I guess you could say it seems that a lot of people lost their heads at that race and were riding over their limits. I think this was proven by the podium results. The guys who were on top were the guys who didn’t go changing everything, They were the guys who were smart enough to say "its just another race" and they raced it like any other race. Some COUNTRIES I believe got a little to over excited about it all. 2012 is for sure on my radar, to be honest though I am not thinking about it at the moment I know what processes I need to take and I am just going to keep taking them.
________________
GRH
Are you planning for life after BMX? How is that going?

SAM
For sure I think about it but at the moment, I am living comfortably chasing my dream, I think you have to. My vision with BMX is that we can start working together to take it to the next level to were we can stay involved in the sport and make a living of it. Like motocross etc. I think its heading in the right direction but we need to try and speed up the process. There is so much more the sanctions can be doing. I think BMX SX and the UCI are definitely on the right track. So if these other sanctions could just get on board this image that they are creating it would help a lot.


Sam,
Thank you for the interview.

I speak for myself and lots of Fans that wish you only the best in 2010!

Gary Haselhorst