Sam Blenkinsop
Hometown Wanganui, New Zealand Years Competing 8
Nicknames Blinky
Team Team Lapierre International
Discipline Downhill
Honors 2010 World Cup 3rd Overall, Winner Schladming World Cup 2008
07.20.11 Team Lapierre International: July 2011 Update Read more »
How does FOX contribute to your success?
For Downhill, perhaps the most important thing is suspension setup and service and I reckon FOX is the best for that.
Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
Trek Session 88 - the lightest and best race bike out there.
What else is in your garage?
A quad bike, Yamaha TTR, Chainsaw, jump bike, road bike and XC bike!
What's your training regimen?
I do a lot of XC and endurance work in the offseason, and intensity.
Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
I'm just recovering from a broken scaphoid, but now I'm all good.
What's your typical pre-race/event meal? Guilty pleasure?
I love pasta, and can make a pretty mean sauce.
How do you determine which races or events to enter each year?
That's pretty easy, just talk with the team about the events outside of World Cup.
What motivated you to get started professionally?
My friends were doing it, and it looked like fun.
What separates you from other professional athletes?
I don't know... I don't wear gloves!
What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
I would be racing motorcross.
What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
The adrenaline rush of racing at the top level.
What other sports are you interested in?
Motocross and skiing.
Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Just try to have fun on your bike.
What are your favorite magazines and websites?
All MTB magazines.
Who is your hero?
James "Bubba" Stewart
Are you a Mac or PC? PC
Top 3 bands N.E.R.D., Johnny Cash, and Gang Starr
Greatest strength Skill
Most frustrating challenge Controlling the nerves
