Andi gets Cedric Gracia to slow down for long enough to spend five minutes answering the questions we ask everyone.

WORDS ANDI PHOTOGRAPHY FORESTAL

Tell us who you are, what do you do and why we should go for a ride with you.

Well, I’m Cedric Gracia. I’m 41 years old. Since I’m born, I’m on the BMX. Switched the BMX with skiing at 12 and started mountain biking at 16. Basically all my life I’ve been an athlete and riding. Just a good way to get out my energy. I guess ADD helped me to be able to ride and make my parents happy, then when I go to bed I’m quiet. Why should you ride with me? Because I think I can teach you a couple of things, have fun and how to have a good time on a mountain and I will tell you tons of stories, part of my life racing and travelling the world.

What has been your best memory or achievement?

Well, Rampage was really special for me in 2003, winning. Not expecting it, just going for a fun ride with friends and hang out. No timing, just showing what you could do and the fun and basically riding, jumping, hanging out in America with a big crowd. And it was just like a blast; I mean the competition aspect was basically on the side really. But at the end of the day when I came back in Europe, it looked like it was a big deal, a Frenchie winning in America. But achievement, I think I did pretty OK in result, even it’s for me, it’s just in the past, another kind of guy would look back too much in the past. I’m way more excited in what is coming – and something big is coming. I’m being involved in making the bike, the Forestal, and it being a big challenge and everyone thinks I’m crazy. But… I’m 41 years old [and] I have a lot more in the tank than people expect from me. Then, well, I’m just following my little road, not looking back.