A q&a with Martha GILL
Q1. You have a new set up this year, Gowaan Collective. Can you explain more about that for us?
After my first full season of racing Crankworx last year I realised just how hard it is trying to do it solo, and it got me thinking... we see DH, Enduro, and XC factory teams, but why aren't there any Crankworx teams? I thought I'd take the matter into my own hands to create something new and exciting. We've got 2 riders, myself and Jayden Fleming, and I've brought on board a long time friend Melissa (more commonly known as Mops), she helps with cooking us dinners, giving massages, and being top rider support whilst we're racing! At the moment the team is still pretty minimal but I have lots of ideas and plans for how I want the team to grow.
Q2. Which event did you enjoy the most at Crankworx Rotorua?
Slalom is nearly always my favourite event, there was a new course this year so it was fun to figure that out in practice. During our finals it started to rain and the track changed quite considerably, becoming super slick in the corners. I enjoy a wet slalom race that little bit more because it spices up the racing that extra bit, it's harder to not make any mistakes and it turned into a slip n slide! Obviously being from the UK I've spent many hours playing in wet ruts, so when the rain comes down I always get a bit of extra confidence in myself.
Q3. Which event surprised you the most at Crankworx Rotorua?
That would have to be either Downhill or the Air DH, I've never podium-ed at an Air DH before but I feel like each race I've learnt something new, and in Rotorua I finally put everything together and it worked out well! For Downhill I was really happy to get 5th, in the past I've not enjoyed racing downhill as much but I've been working on riding my DH bike lots and focussing on the process, I was really happy that I enjoyed the event and my time wasn't too far off the top girls even with a few mistakes in my race run.
Q4. What’s your go to breakfast on event morning?
Mops made the team some yummy overnight oats or some days we had banana pancakes.
Q5. How do you train for these multi discipline events?
I just try and ride all my different bikes as much as possible, and fit as much variety as I can in to a week! Different sessions include lapping out the DH bike, riding bmx tracks and pumptracks, flat corner practice, hitting bigger jumps, practicing tricks on mulch jumps, trail rides, and a couple gym and conditioning sessions thrown in for good measure. I'll also usually feel like I have a few different weaknesses which I'll try to put a bit more focus on.
Q6. How many bikes do you take to a Crankworx event?
I take 4 bikes: Marin Alpine Trail Carbon (to race Air DH and go for some rides before the events start), Marin Downhill Bike (for DH), Marin Rift Zone 27.5 (for dual slalom and speed & style), Marin Alcatraz (for pumptrack).
Q7. Do you have any pre-race rituals or lucky charms?
No lucky charms here, I don't think I have any specific pre-race rituals really, I just try to have everything organised the night before so all I have to do is put my kit on in the morning and have breakfast. Pre dropping in I'll usually do some jumping up and down and certain movements to warm up, in the gate I'll do some good breathing and then I'm away!
Q8. What’s the thing you miss the most when you’re away from home competing?
My family and friends at home, and playing the piano.
Photos: Dominic Blissett & Adam Wright