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sicchicsofbmx@yahoo.com.au
Joey Gough
Tell us a
bit about yourself.
Joey Gough. Age 21. Live in England. I have a boring office job.
What type of bike do you ride?
Profile - Pro BMX & DSL 1 MTB. Both red and black!
Who are your sponsors?
Profile, Fox, Dirty Habit Clothing, Sonic Speedwerx, also DMR and Team
BN3/SRAM have helped me out a little for MTB.
How did you get involved in BMX and how long have
you been racing for? How long do you think you will keep racing for?
My brother started racing when he was 6 and I was 3. I was on the track as
soon as my stabilizers were off. So…..I have been racing about 17 or 18
years.
What major results and achievements have you had?
8 x National Champ 1 x Elite National Champ 1 x British Champ Elite
British Open Champ 2000 and 2002 15’s World No. 6 1996 16’s Euro No. 2
1997
What has been your most memorable moment in BMX?
My semi final at the worlds in 1996 in Brighton, England. I was second and
pulled an accidental 1 footer over the big step up, and almost crashed.
But survived and made my first ever world final, in front of a home crowd.
The atmosphere there was so good.
What has been your biggest disappointment in BMX?
Breaking my ankle this year, just 2 days before the first race of the
season. I had been to Florida for three months and trained with Percy
Owens, and was ready to kick ass! Then that happened. I was gutted. I am
getting back to full fitness now.
What is the racing like for girls in England?
Numbers have dropped over the last few years in pro girls, we usually have
around 8 at a national this year. A couple of years back we had two motos
all the time. Numbers seem to be increasing in some younger classes
though.
What is the pro girls class like in England?
I think the minimum is 3 for a class, we don’t have that few though. Age
used to be age 16, but we have a couple of outstanding 14 year old riders
that have been allowed to ride in the class now. There is a separate prize
pool to males, and the money has dropped recently since there are less
riders. The males get much more, but their class is far bigger.
Can females make a living out of racing BMX in
England?
I wish. The men can’t really either.
What is the racing scene in general like in
England?
We race mainly between April and September. Every Year we have a National
Series and a British Championships one-off race. We have also had a
British Open Championships in 2000 and 2002 which is part of big extreme
Sports festival, and will probably be making it a regular fixture. The
scene is pretty friendly, and it is god fun off the track too.
What other countries have you raced in? Have you
ever raced in Australia?
France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, USA. I’ve never been to Australia.
Though I like that Aussie commentator who’s been around forever. Do me
wrong, do me right, do me any way you like!! Always sounded a bit dirty to
me…
What has been your favourite country to race in
and why?
I like different places for different things. USA because the races in
Florida have a good girls class, its usually hot and sunny, and if it does
rain, or if I have a hangover, they call it off. Genius!!
France usually has a good atmosphere. BMX has a big following there. The
Americans don’t seem to watch much, or hype it up all that much.
Holland’s always a fun place to go too.
If you have been to Australia, what did you think
of it?
I haven’t been.
Who is your favourite male and female bmx’er
and why?
Jamie, Dale and Neal. Cos they’re British and all wicked riders all in
there own way. Percy Owens, cos he’s an all round good rider, and really
cool and chilled out, and he helped me loads.
Girls, it has to be Tarsha, excellent rider, and cool to hang out with.
Most hated rider, Marie McGilvary for making me drink too much beer at
Cape Coral. Nah, only joking!!
What Australian female bmx’ers have you heard
of and what do you think of when think about these riders?
Tarsha Williams, she’s powerful and jumps so good. That year Tarsha was
in England, loads of us went to the euro rounds it was really cool. And at
Peterborough when Rich ended up running around the campsite naked. That
night was so funny.
How often and what do you do for training?
I train pretty much every day now, around my full time job. I mix riding,
gym and stuff. Percy taught me his secrets. That’s all your getting!
What is your favourite TV show?
Friends and Father Ted.
What is your favourite type of music?
Loads of different stuff. My Vitriol, Superheist, The Doors, Led
Zeppelin…. and crap 80’s music.
Do you play any other sports or have any other
hobbies
besides BMX?
Not anymore. I just ride. I would still paint if I found the time.
What do you do in your spare time?
I don’t seem to have much right now. Wash the car, get stuff done
that’s gotta be done! Usually go to the pub to see my friends though. Or
go visit my old housemates at university.
What are your future goals/ambitions? Is there
anything that you haven’t achieved yet, but would like to?
I’m just taking one race at a time, it works better for me that way. If
I look too far ahead I forget what’s round the corner…
Are you planning
on coming to Australia for the 2003 World Titles?
I dunno. I’d like to. But I dunno if I can afford it. And I dunno if I
can sit still on a plane for that long.
Is there anybody you would like to thank?
My family, my friends both sides of the Atlantic, my sponsors, and
everyone whose believed in me.
Thank you for your time and we might see you in
Perth in 2003.
No, Thank you! And yeah, you might if your unlucky enough.