Ryan Trebon... he is a nice guy i think...

in the begining it seemed like you were just doing cross for something to do after the norba series... but now you are more known as a cross rider than a mountain biker... you are in europe and devoting more than it seems you put into the norba season... are you now a full blown cross specialist?...

It is funny it seems not matter how good results I have Mtnbiking I never seem to get the same coverage as I do for CX, and that is why I think people associate me more as being a Crosser than a mtnbiker, which is fine with me because I am starting to put more cyclocross than I have before and I think it is an area where I want focus on.I went to Europe this year because I felt that is what I need to do to develop further as racers, and I belive it paying off big time. You cant subsitute the experience you get over there

you for sure have made a huge impact on cross in the US... much more than on the mountain bike side... i am sure that in the begining it had a lot to do with the smaller level of competition in cross, but these days it seems like on the high end the level in cross is even more competitive than in norba... it seems like you got in at a time when cross was more open and you rode the swell and developed along with the cross scene to now being an A rider in this current time when things are much tighter and tougher than 3 or 4 years ago... maybe you are just suited to cross but also you have had a nice scene to develop in as a rider.. respond

This is only my 3rd year racing CX and the same competitors that were racing then are still racing now, I dont think the level overall has gone up much, I think there are 2 to 3 people that are now focusing more on CX, but if you look at the results it is still the same 5 people finish on the podium everyweekend. So I dont think there is the depth of competition yet. But you know the sport in general is growing fast but I dont know why more top-end MTBers, and roadies dont do some cyclocross during the winter, I mean who needs a break from sept 14- Feb. 1. Lazy folks

is cross in the US viable?... can a young rider commit to cross and specialize and expect to support himslef?... or is there only room for a few full-time crossers and the rest have to race road or mountain as well...

The honest answer is no. I wish more younger riders would focus on it, but to do that you have to race in Europe there is no way around it. Take for instance Jeremy Powers, not many people now about him here because he races cross solely in Europe during the winter. But Jeremy has 10X the experience as many of the top riders in the US because he has done things the hard way and raced in Europe and the experience is gonna pay off so much when he starts to develope more as a rider. But it is like taking 3 steps back to take 1 foward. But the sport is growing fast in the US, so maybe in 3-5yrs it will be at a level where it is viable to make at living at.

after racing over in europe are you getting the kind of experience that is gonna pay-off big time?...

definetly, nothing else compares to do the biggest races and battling it out with all the best riders in the World week in and week out. I am starting to feel more confident and comfortable racing over there

so how about that brady?... digging up a photo of you falling on your ass like that.. are you gonna ball him up when you see him?... this is one of the kids that wants to give it a go in cross... what do these guys need to do to be good?

That shit makes me laugh man, I love it when young rider talk shit with and to older riders, because I was the same way. But yes, he is still gonna get kicked in the nuts when I see him this weekend for that. If Brady and others really want to improve, they have to start focusing on cross and work on CX specific stuff, and continue using the opportunities like Geoff Proctor camps to the fullest and really try and learn and absorb all they can while they are there.

asses yourself vis-a-vis your competition for nationals this weekend.. i think this is important to do when you are at a high level... what does TJ have that makes him dangerous?... McCormick?... Page?... in what ways are you better than them?... how can you contain their strengths?... how can you make them race your race?

you know I feel Ten times stronger this year than I did last year, not only physically but better mentally prepared. There are some good racers coming this weekend, but with a little luck(I havent had much lately) I don't see any reason why I couldn't win on saturday. With that said I think it is gonna be a 3 man race this weekend, but I wont tell you which 3.

obviously you are a top rider anf i think you can win nationals... but what ambitions do you have in europe as a cross rider?... do you see yourself becoming a big rider against the world's best?

I really want to focus on racing CX in europe, I think I have the fitness to compete with them, but I really lack the experience and the technique right now to consistenly be at the front of the races. But it is coming just you wait

will you continue also road racing?... what would it take to get you to drop mtb and do road and cross?

Yes, I am definetly racing on the Road again next year with AeroSpace again, as far as the future.. That I dont know right now. I am trying to figure out what is best for me, but one thing that I am thankfull for is that I do have options right now and support by some awesome people.