How much of an affect do you think Dan Athertonâs re-focus on downhill in 2011 and indeed Jared Graves who has announced 2011 is his last year focussing on 4X, will have on the scene and itâs continued development as both these guys carry a fair amount of prestige with them?
Jared Graves is a phenomenal athlete and I feel one of the best all round riders in the World. He has won 4X, he has won BMX, he went to the Olympics and he continues to ride downhill. My guess is, and this is a guess, I believe he wants to win a World Cup downhill to complete his career as the all round bike rider. I was there at Angel Fire where he missed the World Cup win by 0.2 to Greg Minnaar. âIfâ Graves is focused on winning a DH World Cup, then look out, because he will be doing everything he can to achieve it.
He is single handily responsible for raising the bar again in 4X and making a tough sport look easy. There is no question he loves 4X, he is simply a rider that needs a challenge in his life. Downhill is that new focus. Bare in mind he chose 4X over downhill, when he had to. Now, after dominating for 3 years, he needs a new challenge.