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Will Longden

Will Longden

Full Name: Will Longden
Nickname: Wilber
Hometown: Sheffield, England
Height: 5.9
Hair color: Blonde
Birthdate: 23/11/74
Birthplace: Sheffield, UK
High School: Tapton comprehensive
Favorite Foods: Sea bass
Favorite Drinks: Jack Daniels
Music: Arctic Monkeys, Stereophonics.
Best Results: British DH Champ, British 4X Champ. 40+ national podiums.

Describe your goals for 2006:

Get on as many podiums as possible and make a World Cup 4x final.

When did you begin cycling and why?

I learnt to ride a bike when I was three and did my first BMX race at 6. My whole family has always ridden and raced bikes and I guess being the youngest I just couldn’t wait to join in.

Who influenced you and how?

My dad was my biggest influence growing up. He raced motocross and would take us to watch big international events where I decided at an early age that I wanted to race bikes like my dad, when I grew up.

Have you suffered any serious injuries cycling?

Most people walking the street would call them serious I guess but just the usual brakes and dislocations of a DH racer! Fortunately nothing that’s kept me off the bike for too long.

Other sports competed in and when:

I raced BMX as a nipper. Then raced a little cyclo cross for a few years, which helped my off road handling skills a lot. I also like to ride motocross as much as I can in the winter and recently started riding motorcycle trials.

Accomplishments in the above sports:

I was ranked number three in my region for three years in BMX but always got my ass whooped by the big guys at Nationals, coming in near the back in the finals most weekends, haha. I was top ten national rider as a junior in cyclo cross and managed 7th in my last year racing the North of England champs against guys like Tim Gould, David Baker and Nick Craig so I was stoked with that. In motorcycle trials I completed a tough 7 hour trial considered the hardest event you can do on a motorcyle on my first attempt.

What are your strongest qualities as a racer?

My experience is starting to count for a lot. I have ridden many different types of bikes and terrain, which help give me the skills to do well on any track in any conditions.

What are your current and future goals in life?

I’d like to finish off my racing career on a high and there’s nothing to stop me getting some of the best results of my career before I’m done. After that along with other things I’d like to save some talented younger riders years of hassle by passing on all the things I’ve picked up over the years.

Describe your greatest cycling achievement to date:

I’ve been on the British Cycling team for 12 years in a row for the world championships. More than any other British cyclist.

Describe your worst race or cycling experience:

In 1997 I smashed my knee cap in my final run at a US World Cup. It was a long day and a very long journey back home to the UK. Then three months not being able to ride a bike, the longest time off a bike since I learned to ride at 3.

Describe your favorite race course:

The longer and rougher the better. Starting off fast then some hard technical in the middle with lots of pedaling at the bottom and big jumps. A real test with a bit of everything. Nailing a track like that is the best feeling ever.

Co-Sponsors:

Fox clothing, RaceFace, Fox shox, SDG seats, Hope tech. Brakes, E thirteen chain devices, Kenda tyres, Crud catchers, Lake shoes, Dirtworker jet washers, Dakine bike travel bags, Sram gears, Crankbrothers pedals, Pedro’s tools and lubes, Mavic rims and Oakley glasses, goggles and watches.

Career Results

2006

Career Highlights

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