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Name:
Daniel Franks
Nickname:
D Franks
Age:
16 (DOB: October 2, 1993)
Current Town:
Christchurch, New Zealand (in the South Island)
Home Town:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Favorite Trail? > I love any place I can ride my bike. I couldn’t single out one trail, but we have many great tracks in the Port Hills above Christchurch – they’re rocky, steep, really challenging and lots of fun.
Sponsors/Supporters? > Yeti New Zealand, Doctor Bike and my mum and dad.
Favorite place to ride? > Rotorua is so cool – it’s a real mountain biking city and every time I go there I have so much fun. The downhill track is wide open and fast, but they also have a really cool BMX track there with some big jumps.
Favorite place to compete? > Levin, New Zealand. The New Zealand Secondary School Champs are held there nearly every year and it’s one of the best events because everyone is there to have some fun and it’s a really laidback event. I’m always looking forward to traveling to the North Island for that one.
What sparked your interest in biking when you were young? > Back when I was 5 there was a little note in the weekly school newsletter saying: “come and try BMX!” I raced home that day and pleaded with my parents to take me along. As they say, the rest is history.
When did you really get into biking and what form of biking was it? > I began serious BMX racing at age 6 and when I was about 12 an older mate took me off into the hills for a ride. I loved it and kept going back and upgraded bikes and began riding downhill.
BMX or Downhill? Which is your favorite, and why? > I get asked this question a lot! I don’t have a favorite. I love them both for different reasons and wouldn’t give up one for the other. The skills learnt in one really help and transfer over to the other.
Have you had any serious injuries while riding or competing? How long did it take you to get back on the saddle? > There’s always a serious injury! I’ve had eight broken bones at different times. The best one is probably when I broke my collarbone (twice) within a year of each other. You can’t really do anything to help them heal, but I think it was 12 weeks until I got back on the bike.
Who are your favorite Riders? > One of my favorites is Jared Graves. He is top level in 4X, BMX and downhill, which is inspiring for me. Like any other kid I also look up to all the other big names at the top such as Sam Blenkinsop. He is also a Kiwi and has proved that we can make it on the World Cup circuit and I wish to follow his lead.
What events do you plan on attending or competing in this coming season? > Well, the racing season here in New Zealand is just finishing, but this year I have plans to travel to Europe to do a BMX Supercross round in Copenhagen, the BMX World Champs, and hopefully the MTB World Champs. I’m super excited about it!
What are the greatest Podiums you have won thus far in your “career”? > 6th at the 2009 World BMX Champs in 16 Boys, > 2nd at the 2009 NZ Nationals for Downhill in U17, > 2nd at the 2010 NZ Nationals in Elite 4X, > 1st at the 2010 NZ Nationals Dual Slalom in Junior Elite
Is racing more mental or physical for you? Why? > I say both are really important and rely on each other. You have to be physically fit to be able to hold a race together, but you have to be mentally strong to get you through the race.
Do any other sports influence your biking or style? > BMX and downhill influence each other in my riding style, but I’ve also had some success in my earlier years in swimming, cross-country running and athletics.
What is your big goal for this season? > Qualify at a BMX Supercross event and to make the New Zealand National Downhill team for the Worlds.
What do you do to occupy your time when you’re not on the bike? > Hang with friends and I love chilling out to music. And watching biking video clips.
If you were to give one piece of advice to up-coming riders, what would it be? > Always push your limits. Everyone can always be that little bit faster.
Everybody has a dream, what is yours? > To stand on the BMX Olympic podium.
Photos by Derek Morrison
