Scott Beaumont

" I raced BMX. I started in 1982 when I was 4 years  old....."

Date of Birth: 02-06-78

Hometown: Worcester, England

Who are your sponsors? Kona, Ford Focus, Oakley, Tioga, Airwalk, Gripshift, Rock shox, Shoei Helmets, Progold - energy drinks, SO-CAL race wear, Hope brakes, Maclaines bike shop.

Do you have a girlfriend? Yes, Ann-Marie. We have been together now for more than 3 years.

When did you start to race Mountainbikes? I started racing mountain bikes in 1997, with Team Kona. I have been sponsored by them ever since.

What did you do before? I raced BMX. I started in 1982 when I was 4 years  old, and raced full time until the age of 18. Then Kona made me an offer  that I couldn't refuse.

What was you biggest succees so far? BMX World Champion 1995, 1996. BMX British Champion 8 times, BMX National series champion 8 times. Biker-X champion 1999. 5th overall 2000 Dual World Cup.

How do you train for the races? I train twice a day for around one and a half hours each session. My training consists of long road rides to build endurance for long race weekends, sprint work to improve my Dual racing, Gym sessions to improve strength, and then I try to do as many sports as possible during the week to keep my general fitness high. Sports like moto cross, BMX, running, badminton and swimming are all tied into my training every week.

Who do you train with? I train with a few people. Firstly my gym partner is Danny White, who also races downhill at the nationals in the sport category. He comes over to my house 3 times a week and we train in my gym. Then there is Helen Mortimer who I do most of my other training with. Also I  go riding with Matt Farmer and anyone else who wants to go out that day.

What are you doing when you are not riding your bike? Usually out riding my moto cross bike. I have just bought a new Yamaha YZ 125, so most of my spare time is spent on that. Also I play on my Playstaion, watch videos and go clubbing every weekend if I can.

What will you do in the winter? Just train my ass of to try and break into the top 3 overall in the Dual World Cup. At the moment I am so close that it is giving me the motivation to train hard all winter.

Descibe what it is like to race Downhill or Dual!? Well downhill is a blast. You are sat in the start house and you hear the 5 second countdown, and for the next 5 minutes you will be controlling everything that goes on. All the practice that weekend, all the training over winter comes down to  that one, five minute run. If you brake early for a turn, if you crash, if  you don't pedal hard enough. It all comes down to the choices you make in that one run. You are racing a clock that you cannot see, so your result and feelings

at the finish line all come down to the judgements that you make on  the course. Dual is slightly different in that, you have a marker that you  can judge yourself on, that being the other rider. All you have to do is beat that other guy. If you are in front, you are doing your job, if you are  behind then you have about 25 seconds to get infront of the leader or you  can get your coat and go home. Thats what I like so much about dual; the  intensity. It is all over in 30 seconds, so your decision making has to be so quick, and the decision always has to right, because there is no chance  that you will catch up.

What is the biggest different between BMX and moutainbike racing? I like the fact that the rivalry in mountain bike racing is friendly. Very rarely do you see arguments or disputes at a mountain bike race, whereas in BMX the rivalry is a bit more aggressive. If there is a take out move in BMX then  something will be said at the finish line. In dual racing, aggressive passes  are just part of the action, and the racers just get on with it.

Descibe a normal day in your life?! Get up, not to early!! Eat breakfast, and then go out for my morning training session. Then come back and watch some motocross or MTB videos. Usually I will be calling sponsors and other racers just to say hi. Then lunch usually