Ruaridh Cunningham has been around on the UK DH scene for a while now. Starting as a grom with an XC bike he’s picked up momentum over the years and is now a force to be reckoned with on the World Cup circuit, currently ranked 19th. Hard training over the off season has paid off as consistently strong finishes have earned him the Juniors Yellow Jersey heading into the final WC round and ultimately the World Champs on home soil this September. NZ Ride UK Correspondent, pie eater and all round choice dude Paul Smail caught up with him testing out the new champs track in Fort William.


//RUARIDH (RIGHT) AND CHRIS BALL

//RUARIDH

NZRide: You’ve been on a few peoples radar for a while here, do you think its fair to say the 16th you got in the Schladming semi final last made the rest of the world take notice?
RC: Yeah, I definitely think it helped. That was my first year doing world cups and Schladming is more about skill than lungs, which suited me. Generally I was just outside of qualifying that year, but came good later on.

NZRide: You’ve reclaimed the yellow jersey heading into the Champs and the final WC, so obviously this year you’re on a flyer. Are you surprised where you are now, what support have you had this year?
RC: To be fair I was a bit of a pie fairly recently, and knew the right training programme would make the difference. Chris Ball from Dirt School and Geraint Florida-James from the Sports Science Dept of the Napier Uni have been working with me for a few months now and its really paid off. I get help from Bike Love in Glasgow and I was fit at the start of the season for once.


NZRide: Chis Ball secured funding from Scottish Cycling to help you and one of the other juniors do the WCs this year in preparation for the Worlds, an act thats pretty much unheard of in this country. How do you reckon the UK compares to the other countries in terms of junior development?
RC: I was stoked to get the funding, and I know Chris worked his arse off to get it. Its made a huge difference to me as I’d have had to borrow money from my parents to do the further away rounds. The UK has one of the best pools of riders, but no-one seems to get the right support. For instance the Aussies have 12 junior riders training in France with Scott Sharples and shit like that. We can definitely do more to improve our athlete support programme.


//RUARIDH, SCHLADMING WORLD CUP ROUND
On the way to his attention grabbing 16th place finish.

NZRide: New Zealand has just announced its Worlds Squad, how many of the juniors have you come across?
RC: Skinner and Scholes. Skinner was trying to get me to meet them in Morzine for a bit. I’m guessing they’ll bring a couple of younger riders out too, look forward to seeing them.

NZRide: Apart from Bryceland, who is your main competition in the juniors?
RC: Its not just him to beat. Theres a couple Aussies who have beaten me fair and square, and that French Kid Thirion is rapid too – he can pedal like a bastard. You’ve also got Sam Dale and Joe Smith from the UK too.

NZRide: How does it feel going into the final rounds?
RC: Good, I’m ready for it and I think I have a good chance of the double. All my focus is on the Champs just now. I won’t think about Maribor until the Monday after the Champs. It’ll make for good racing. The Mens World Cup and the Womens and Junior Womens series are pretty much foregone conclusions. The Junior Mens will go right to the wire though.


//RUARIDH, VIGO WORLD CUP ROUND

NZRide: Are you feeling the pressure now?
RC: Yes and No. I used to get really worked up before big races and would be too tense and rigid on the bike, but I’ve learned a lot in the last year. On a good run I’ll get top 40 at a World Cup, and am a lot more confident in my own abilities – I don’t feel sketchy at speed. Its kindof hard to describe, and I don’t want to sound up my own arse. I guess its hard to recognise how fast you can go, once you can do that it gets easier. Everyone around me has been really positive about my riding, and thats helped heaps too.

NZRide: OK, predictions for the Worlds?
RC: Well, obviously I’d love to see Steve come back and take it, but that could be a tall order on a track that physical. Ideally I’d like a Brit to win but I’m sure Mr Hill has other ideas...

NZRide: The track has a new top section - what do you reckon?
RC: Its fun, buts its not really Champs standard. The old track was cool because it was fast and relentless straight out the gate. The new section is kindof lame in that respect. Bring back man track.

NZRide: Any plans to hit up NZ?
RC: Yeah definitely, its somewhere I’d love to go. Everything that I’ve heard sounds awesome and I’d love to see some of the untouched remote stuff. When I go depends on the right deal and timing etc, but I’ll be there.

NZRide: OK, times getting on. Quick fire round – 20 questions with Ruaridh Cunningham:

1. Age and DOB?
18, 15.02.89

2. Age you started?
13

3. First Bike?
GT XCR 1000

4. Hometown?
Stow, Scottish Borders



5. Flats or Spds
Flats, obviously...

6. Best results?
17th Schladming 07, 2nd to Steve Peat Innerleithen NPS 07, Scottish Junior Champ x 2, British Series Winner 05

7. Tits or Legs?
Legs

8. Michelin or Maxxis?
Maxxis

9. Beer of choice?
Desperado

10. Any other sports?
Rugby, Motocross and Moto GP

11. Can you whip both ways?
Er, kindof, just don’t expect it brought in from one side.

12. Do you like gladiator movies?
What? Um..yes.

13. Worst injury?
None really, knocked out and caned wrist at Fort William.

14. Should bush be banned?
The leader or the hair? Either way, yes.

15. Have you ever slept with a man?
No, but I know you have. I heard Chris Ball woke up in your bed recently.

16. True. Blair Xmas, Paul Angus and Mike Hill have suffered similar fates, would you like to?
Er, no. It wouldn’t be my first option.

17. Whatever. Simpsons or Southpark?
Simpsons.

18. Are chicks shit?
Um, no. They can actually go fast now and some of them can jump too.



19. Would you say that at least 50% of the female field are lesbians or transsexuals?
Ha ha, yeah I reckon its got to be around that mark.

20. Will you be national champ in 5 years?
Who knows, could be a tranny.....