Name: Michael Vickers

Nick name: Vickers or Vicks

Number of years riding downhill (or BMX, Moto, Quads etc): 10 years Downhill and about 5 years BMX. Ridden a bit of Track lately too.

Highlights of your riding career so far: 2011 was a massive year for me, really made me believe in myself, especially my qualifying run at the National Champs were I managed to put in a respectable time against some of the top riders, only to crash in the final run!! Other highlights for me include finishing 1st Overall in the BC rankings, 3rd in the Overall BDS, 2nd Overall in Pearce Series, 2nd Overall in the Welsh Series and won a few regionals and the first national at Nant G too. Also having the support of the SPS and generally having fun on my DH, XC or BMX bike.

Aims for 2012 season: Finish in Top Ten Expert Men in the National Series. Podium in at least one National Race, start racking up so UCI points and hopefully pass on some of the experience that I have gained through my first year with the SPS to some of the new guys coming onto the team for 2012.

What’s it like being part of SPS? Its great to be part of the SPS, the atmosphere is so relaxed yet everyone is driven to become better riders, its a great balance where you can have a laugh but when it comes to racing everyone wants to be on top of their game. The SPS has introduced me to lots of sound people and the support is second to none, I really feel that the experience of Steve and the other guys on the SPS has made me a better rider.

What are your first impressionsof the Santa Cruz V10? Having rode the V10 for 2011 and gained the results that I did, I find it difficult to fault the bike, the bike feels so stable at speed, but still agile through the technical stuff. the suspension gives you confidence to hit anything and sticks to the ground like glue, so all you need to worry about is controllimng your speed and concentrate on where where you are going.

Favourite rider/biggest influence and why? My friend and veteran racer Gez Hodgkinson has been a really big influence, he got me into the sport as a teenager and has helped me out loads at races and when we go out riding. So I owe alot to where I am at today to him. Also Steve was a big influence from a young age, seeing him representing the UK and performing at such a high level for so long is amazing. I really admire his what he has done for the sport and everything he has achieved. Guys like Fabian Barel are great to draw inspiration from too, I find his calm and methodical approach to his bike set-up, preparation, riding and racing as a great model of how to be a great racer.

Best UK DH track and why? There are too many to mention, I’ve always enjoyed Hopton and Hamsterley as they are tracks I have ridden from a young age and they excite me when I see them in the racing calender. Last year I really enjoyed Nant G and Llangollen National Champs track. Nant G cause of the technical challenge to ride it fast and Llangollen cause it was a track that was really challenging to get a full clean run.

Describe your riding style in three words: Smooth and Measured.

Any last words: Just a big thanks to Steve, Tristan, the SPS family, the SPS Sponsers and MBUK for giving me the oppourtunity last year, had a great time and had my best year racing so far thanks to those guys, hopefully with the support again this year I will be able to up my game further.