Meet Emmett Hancock – Our Local Pinkbike Academy Competitor
Q: Tell us a bit about what drew you to apply to be part of Pinkbike Academy Season 2?
I was drawn to apply to the Academy as this is the kind of opportunity I’ve been looking for my whole career. To have the chance to race as a true professional and earn a living riding my bike would be an absolute dream result.
Q: How has living in the Okanagan, and Kelowna specifically, influenced your biking career?
The terrain, climate and most importantly the scene has majorly shaped my career. Through fighting intervals and weight training as I watched the snow fall to the Thursday night old dude XC rides I went on because it was the only crew of people that loved riding when I was growing up. The Okanagan has pushed me to train harder, smarter and most importantly embrace who I am as a rider!
Q: Have you spent a lot of time biking at Big White Ski Resort since the bike park opened in 2017? And if so, do you think it gave you an advantage over the other contestants in Episode 1?
Most of my time spent at the resort was last season for the Friday toonie races as all of the Canadian enduro and downhill races were cancelled. I think being local gave me a bit of an advantage in Episode 1, knowing the lay of land and a bit of what to expect. Although when we started the competition it had been nearly a year since I had last ridden at Big White.
Q: What’s your favourite trail on Big White?
For flow Dark Roast is my go to and on tech Hubba Bubba has my heart!\
Q: Without giving any spoilers, what did you take away from your experience with Pinkbike Academy?
It was such a different kind of challenge with such quick turnarounds between races that you really didn’t have time to completely process the last race as the next one was presented to you. The academy definitely made me a tougher racer, especially for enduro, no matter how good or bad your stage was you have to be ready to throw down your very best the very next lap you ride.
Q: Any tips or tricks to those looking to get into the world of mountain biking?
Really, really love the sport, that is definitely the main ingredient. There is so much competition and not a lot of funding available which makes breaking through into professional racing super challenging. As long as you love riding and love the game of racing then there is no doubt, at least in my mind, that you can make it happen.
Watch Episode 1:
