Luc Santos

How does FOX contribute to your success?
Suspension is the most important thing on the bike. It can take so much of the roughness and jolting out of the ride. It helps keep the wheels hooking up with the dirt so I can get better traction and more speed. And the support staff is the best! We just love Shannon, he is a great friend and advisor to me.

Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
Honda is what I ride, with FMF pipes, Tag bars, Works connection levers, Hinson clutch system, Bridgestone tires, black Excel rims with red powdercoated hubs, white plastics, with sick Team Red Seven grafics, and of course the best suspension money can buy, by FOX.

What else is in your garage?
A mountain bike, skateboard, scooters, football, tools, parts, wheels, four wheeler, skis, sleds, sofa, and my new favorite red rolling tool box by Craftsman.

What's your training regimen?
Ride almost daily, weather permitting. I workout doing cardio on the treadmill or swimming or stationary bike at the gym about three days a week. I do a lot of rehab therapy for ongoing soreness and injury, (thanks to Brandon and the guys at PC physical therapy).

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
Last year was a rough one. Cracked hip, torn hip flexor tendon, broken arm, 3 concussions, and a ruptured spleen. Got that out of the way, whew. Recovery, well lots of bed rest, then plenty of strength training with my buddy and trainer Ivan Radcliff, US Bobsled team member and Olympic athlete. Lots of stretching before riding, never ride when I'm too tired.

What's your typical pre-race/event meal? Guilty pleasure?
I like to eat everything, I love food... haha. Cereal in the morning, Subway for lunch when we are away, and lots of pasta. Guilty pleasure, Gabby's (my big sis) home made chocolate chip cookies!

How do you determine which races or events to enter each year?
My mom is my manager and helps me pic and choose. It's the biggest closest national races first, then fill in with local races when we are around. If a track is known for bad conditions or is dangerous, we usually bypass. In the winter it is AMA Arenacross all the way!

What motivated you to get started professionally?
My mom motivated me to get with a trainer because she wanted to see me improve. Then it grew from there because I love the excitement of competition and challenging myself to be better.

What separates you from other professional athletes?
I never give up. Crashes, bike problems, it doesn't matter, you gotta just keep going for it, till the very end and never say die!! I train really hard too. Longer motos than my budies, my mom gets lap times and I push myself hard, and she pushes me even harder. I work on technique to get it right and not be sloppy, and I will work sections of the track over and over until I master it, then move on.

What would you be doing if you weren't a professional athlete?
UGH! That would be tough... Maybe a fighter pilot with the Airforce or a Navy Seal, those guys are the BOMB!

What's the best thing about being a professional athlete?
Getting to do what I love and challenging my body to the extremes of competition. I love my friends who race with me and all the pretty girls who come to watch and ride. I love being on the cutting edge of design, and technology, working with the best products and pushing the limits.

What other sports are you interested in?
I love to ski. My mom was a ski racer and dad is in the business so they take me to Deer Valley resort where I fly down the runs. I love to swim in the pool, lake, river, swamp, anywhere... hahaha. We have horses and that is pretty cool, and I also like to mountain bike.

Any advice to the readers dreaming to turn pro?
Try hard to the end. Never give up. When things get tough find another way to make it happen. When you are not training someone else is. When you are hurt or out for a while you need to be creative and stay in shape because a trophy sets in a hurry. My motto: You never know how high you are until you are called to rise... it is then if you are true to plan, your statures touch the skies. :)

What are your favorite magazines and websites?
Santosracing.net (I'm the creator), Foxracingshox.com, RedSevenrideco.com, Arenacross.com, Jessemasterpool.com ;( RIP, MXsports.com, and Mountainwestmxpark.com. Magazines are Transworld, Playground, and Cycle news.

Favorite movie quote?
Umm, can't think of one, but in honor of Jesse Masterpool, Remember the Titans.

Who is your hero?
Gray Davenport, the best guy, great coach, great role model; Jaisaac Sloan, super great kid; Daryl White, my fishing buddy; Ronnie Goodwin, my team mate; Kevin Windham (cause he is the older guy, and still so great); Justin Barcia, and then of course Bubba. But I couldn't do any of it if it wasn't for my mom and dad, who work so hard for me to be able to do what I do.

Are you a Mac or PC? PC

Top 3 bands Kevin Rudolph, Bob Marley, and Rolling Stones

Greatest strength My mind

Most frustrating challenge Money

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