Lance McDermott
Words by Sonja Güldner-Hamel .
Since the adidas Slopestyle in Saalbach Hinterglemm Lance McDermott’s name has been on the radar. Mountain bike magazines the world over ran photos of his front flips. He wasn't the first but he was the first to nail them consistently and with ironclad confidence.
Lance only started mountain biking a year ago. The adidas Slopestyle was his first freeride contest so he was amped to land on the podium. “Now I know what Slopestyle is all about. Next year I will come back with a full suspension and win this thing”, he said after the comp.
Lance's performance at the adidas Slopestyle changed his life. Now he has a multi-year sponsor contract with adidas and he's living the dream of being a professional mountain biker. He quit his construction job and he now spends every day on his bike. We had the chance to interview Lance to find out more about this congenial and ambitious Brit. It seems there's lots more to come.
Lance is an Aquarius and Aquarians are known for their resolve and ambition. Watch out world - here he comes…
Sonja Güldner-Hamel
Front flip into the fruit bowl. Photo ~ Yorick Carroux. Click to view full size.
Vitals: Lance McDermott
Nationality: British
Birth: 1-21-1986. Manchester, England (20 years old)
Height: 6ft Weight: 12 stone Eye colour: green
Hobbies: BMX, moto x, gym
Favourite music: hip hop
Favourite book: any bike mag
Favourite movie: it’s got to be World Trade Center
Favourite food: pizza, pasta
Star sign: Aquarius
Parents: Jeanette (driving instructor) & Brian (Works in construction)
Formal education: High school education
Why so dreamy? This photo was taken in Austria - that's why . Photo ~ Yorick Carroux. Click to view full size.
Sonja Güldner-Hamel - What are some of your highlights thus far as a BMX and MTB rider:
Lance McDermott - The highlight of me on a bike is just going riding and aim to pull a new trick every time I ride. If I pull it that is my highlight
SGH - When did you start with BMX riding? What were your best results as a BMX rider?
LM - I started BMX when I was 15 years old. I have some good results from BMX: 1st king of concrete, 1st king of dirt, 1st kod 1st king of vert 2005, 1st king of vert 2006, 1st epic jam, 2nd kod street 2005 and I qualified 14th for gravity games on vert
SGH - When did you start practicing front flips?
LM - About 4 months ago
SGH - How long did it take before you tried it on dirt?
LM - I went to a foam pit on a weekend for to days got them in foam then the next day the Monday I got it on dirt
Describe the feeling when you landed your first front flip on dirt? The feeling is the best thing in the world. It’s what keeps me going. I just love it as your in the air and then land wheels down and role away
Is he going back or front?. Photo ~ Harookz. Click to view full size.
SGH - How is your current success as a freerider at international contests perceived in the UK?
LM - People support me in the UK with my international comps. It’s cool, I get some good coverage in mags
SGH - Has your daily life changed in any way?
LM - Yes my life has changed in a big way. I am now a full time rider that means no more 9 to 5 work day in day out. I can get up in a morning and just say to my self right today I'm going riding. It’s so cool.
SGH - What did your parents say about their son being sponsored and starting a career as a mountain biker?
LM - My parents have always supported me with what ever I do, but they know I love my bike riding and they are behind me all the way.
SGH - Do you have a girlfriend?
LM - Yes, I have a girlfriend called Sam. She is nice, she likes to watch me ride my bike and she gives me full support we spend good time together, but as she knows my bike comes first.
SGH - You have achieved many top results recently, but what was the most important success for you?
LM - It has to be adidas Slopestyle as it was my first ever freeride practice and comp and no one knew who I was.
SGH - Where do you normally train?
LM - I ride mainly in skate parks as it is always raining in Manchester, England. So I ride a lot of indoor, but there is some local dirt to ride, too.
At home on the bike and in the studio. Photo ~ Yorick Carroux. Click to view full size.
SGH - What is your favourite freeride location?
LM - I don't know any in the UK. I just go to events and that's my training, but in 2007 watch out - new stuff on the way…
SGH - What are your major goals for next year?
LM - To kill the dirt jump and freeride scene. Watch this space…
SGH - Freeriding is a dangerous sport and involves a lot of crashes, especially during practice of new tricks. Is getting severely hurt and issue that you think about?
LM - I don't think about getting hurt. I think if you do it holds you back. You just got to think of the medal at the end and go big.
SGH - What do you do to prevent injuries?
LM - I wear pads and if I do crash I try not to panic and hope things don't go too wrong.
SGH - What would you advise young kids who want to learn the front flip?
Get all the basics first. You need to be at a high level to be trying things like the front flip. But if you think you’re ready, get in a foam pit and throw your weight forwards.
SGH - What other sports do you like besides mountain biking?
LM - Any extreme sport, anything that gives you a rush.
SGH - Are you currently working on any new tricks?
LM - Most tricks have been done in BMX over the years, but I have a couple of things up my sleeve for 2007.
Lance riding with some Flair. Photo ~ Markus Greber. Click to view full size.
SGH - What does it mean to you to be sponsored?
LM - I just love the fact that there are people out there who want to help the sport and riders. For me with my sponsors I just like to make sure they get good coverage out of me and a good relationship.
SGH - Who are your current sponsors besides adidas eye wear and adidas?
LM - 24seven bikes and Marzocchi forks
SGH - What does fashion and lifestyle mean to you? Are you vain?
LM - Yes I'm very vain. l like to look good, but fashion … I'm a leader. I make my own fashion up.
SGH - If you could transform into someone else for one day, who would you like to be?
LM - Just me Lance McDermott
SGH - What is your favourite place on earth and why?
LM - California, because its’ hot never rains and the lifestyle is amazing.
SGH - What is the highest priority in your life?
LM - To be the world’s number one in MTB and just to be happy.
SGH - What are the three things you (Lance) ‘must do’ in a lifetime?
LM - I don't know if I have any thing now, because I'm only 20 and I have done so much already. I never knew I would be where I am now.
Any thoughts on being an Aquarius, front flipping or living the dream? Post 'em up here.
