Sam Pilgrim is one of the most recognizable riders in the dirt/slopestyle world. On his achievements list there’s a lot of international comps – wins at Swatch Rocket Air, FISE Montpellier or Dirt Masters Slopestyle. In 2013 he also won overall title in FMB World Tour. We catched Sam several days after Crankworx Rotorua and asked him few questions. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Sam Pilgrim!
Tomasz Profic, 43RIDE: Hi Sam, We’re couple days after Crankworx Rotorua where you placed 5th. It’s good or bad result for you?
Sam Pilgrim: Hi, this result is good for me and I’m very happy about it. The level of riding is really crazy these days and just getting into the top ten is super hard. Its also good because it was the first contest of the year and it has given me a great confidence boost for the coming season!
From my view, riders like Semenuk or Rogatkin, seems to be on the other level than other riders. What they should do to beat them? Luck or more crazy tricks?
Those two guys are amazing your right, but not so so far away from everyone else. They just have a few amazing tricks but most importantly its the consistance of their riding, THEY NEVER CRASH! So i just got learn a few more banger tricks and i’ll beat Nicholi haha ;)
Almost impossible tricks are going to be normal these days (1080, 720cork, oppo tricks), it’s pure madness. Where it’s going?
I have no idea haha, there must be a limit but who knows when it will be reached!
Slopestyle comp was organised in memory of Kelly McGarry. How do you remember him? What was your thoughts when tragic news appeared?
Kelly was a true inspiration to so many people, when I heard the news I was shocked and sad. It really made me think that we should all live everyday to the fullest and as if it is our last! RIP Kelly we miss you bro!
How can you summarize whole Crankworx Rotorua event? More entertaining for fans than previous festivals?
Man, the guys behind crankworx really do and amazing job. The whole organisation was spot on and the crowd was loving it, such a pleasure to be involved with it!
What’s your start plans for the rest of the season? Only dirt/slope comps or something like FEST series or Rampage?
Just the FMB diamond series this year, but I will be at a few smaller events like Swatch Rocket Air and 26TRIX!
NS Bikes Decade
For this season you’ve changed your steel NS Majesty for aluminium Decade frame. Why did you do that? Is there real difference between them?
I just loved the colour haha.. and the bike is longer thus more stable at higher speeds and on bigger jumps!
You’re also riding a lot on NS Snabb enduro bike. Just for fun or some preparations for bigger bike competitions?
No, I just love that bike. It feels like a cross between slopestyle bike and DH bike and you really can do everything on it!
Sam Pilgrim and Max Fredriksson
“Sam Pilgrim’s Bangers Tour” – last year we’ve seen some crazy stuff from this project. Will you continue it in 2016? Or maybe you have a plan for something completely new?
BANGERS TOUR 2016 is coming be prepared!!
Thanks for interview!
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Photos: Piotr Staroń staronphoto.com /NSbikes