Amiel Cavalier is a man with momentum. Hot off a great National series and a new sponsorship deal seeing him go overseas to have a propper go at the NORBAS, the guy is set to make a mark overseas in 2007. I can't wait to see what he comes up with. I had a chat to just after the National DH series finals in Mt. Beauty, and this is what he had to say:

Sam: What was your favourite track of the season?
Amiel: Mt Beauty just because it was a great techy race track that didn’t have too much pedalling.

S: Which event on the calendar has the best atmosphere?
The atmosphere is always good at Thredbo because of the chairlift and close accommodation (means everyone is close together). This year at the Thredbo race we had a massive game of cricket! I don’t like cricket but that was so fun and relaxing!

S: Who were you most worried about beating you?
A: Everyone! I am not going to mention any names. Every one is your competitor. My theory is “You worry about what your doing and ill worry about what I’m doing!” I don’t let things like that get to me.

S: What was the best moment of the series?
A: Definitely the final round at Mt Beauty. Being the final round, fastest qualifier and leading the series etc. I really liked the track and was having a bunch of fun riding my bike.


S: What’s it like racing the Aussie series compared to the O/S season? Are we really more relaxed like we keep getting told?
A: Well the competition here is just as fierce. Like, in the states there aren’t as many hitters as there are here. Over there you pretty much race Aussies, South Africans and Kiwi`s. I suppose when Australian pro’s come home and race here they see it as their rest time and fall into rest mode. But in Aus you definitely cant let your guard down when it comes to racing because there are too many guys that just love riding their bike fast and are fast as hell! Yes we are definitely more laid back than any other nation. We let our riding do the talking.

S: Was it unexpected to win the series – I mean you only had your first ever Elite Men’s win at Tassie.
A: It was very unexpected! I came home from the US season to train up for the next season. I planned to race the whole series and assumed a few other pro’s would do the series as well. I am stoked to have an elite national series championship second year out of juniors!

S: Now that you have taken the title, what’s your next move?
A: I recently signed with the Giant US Factory Team so I will be along side team mate Jared Rando. I am really happy with the setup and have a strong relationship with Giant bicycles. My plans are to race the full NORBA series as well as Sea Otter classic, US open, Krank works and a few World Cups. I leave early April and it will be about a 5 month trip. Pretty excited as it will be my first full time overseas as a professional mountain biker. I remember not so long ago I looked up to all the Aussie pro’s and now I am racing beside them.


S: Obviously you’ll have a few people to thank, now’s your chance...
A: Firstly I have to thank Ryan Lennox. He took me under his wing when I was at a young age and taught me how to train and become a racer. Darren Rutherford and the crew at Giant Bicycles. They have helped me from the beginning and have been very supportive and great to work with. Rob Eva (Sram) and the Monza guys for there support for the past two seasons. All my previous sponsors and current. And finally Spearman Cycles and my family and close friends. I have had nothing but support and encouragement from all of them!

Peace out!


S: Amiel - my personal best wishes mate - ride hard and live it up.


Thanks to Damian Breach for the awesome photos: www.damianbreach.com

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