Mike Mcgonigle Interview

"Whos Mike McGonigle? If you don't know you should read this. Find out whats up in Mike's world. Whats on his mind, Who he rides with, His plans for next year and who his toughest comp is.."

Name:
Mike McGonigle
Age: 23
Class: Expert
Location: Laurel, MD
Bike and parts on it:
Brew frame and Fork, S&M race Bars, Profile Hubs and Cranks, Sun Rims, SDG seats/Post, Shimano pedlas/brakes/shoes, Maxxis Tires, Tangent Stem.

Sponsor: Working that out as we speak….. should be finalized by friday

How did you get started in racing?
The local track (Bensalem BMX) was right across the street from me. It was faster for me to ride there than it was to drive. I went up there a ton just to ride, and one day just signed up to race. That were it all started.

What was your first race like? Pretty intense… My first adrenaline rush, it was fun..

So you live in Maryland, right around the Severn areahow is it out there?
Its pretty cool. Mr girlfriend graduated college, and got a job in DC, so we moved down here. I live pretty close to Lance (Mcguire) so we get to ride/train alot together. It makes training alot easier.

Do you get a lot of ride time?
Eh, riding time isn't alot. I work full time so by the end of the day its hard to get to go out and ride. Tryin to ride and get to the gym is pretty hard after working a full day. But I get er done.

Who do you ride with and hang out with a lot around town?
Well, around here, pretty much just Lance, Dave Roriaty and his son Luke, that weirdo Zane, and My boy Tim Grimes and his son Josh whos starting to tear it up.

I know you and lance are buddys, how long have you all-known each other?
Lets see….. I've known Lance quite a while. We raced each other alot when he was Am, I'd say close to 6 or so years.

What do you think of the new ABA schedule for 2005?
The new ABA schedule looks great, I am looking forward to getting back on the ABA National scene. Should be a good year.

What are your plans for 2005?
Just race as much as possible. My goals are to get the ABA Nag title, repeat the NBL Title, and Get the UCI title.

I know your chasing a bunch of aba tittles next year, good-luck with that! Are you gonna be running all of the NBL and ABA races.or just hitting aba?
I will be chasing titles in both sanctions so I will be pretty busy this coming year. I just did my schedule and I think I will be at close to 25 nationals next season if all goes as planned.

What year did you turn pro? How did it work out for you?
I turned Pro when I was 17, Biggest mistake of my life. I wasn't ready mentally at all. I got hurt at every race I attended.

I know you got an unfortunate injury and you underwent a surgery that set you back so far and you just decided to go back to amateurWhat exactly happen?
Well, I fell, broke my leg down by my ankle, had to have surgery and have 2 plates and 12 screws put in to hold my leg together, wasn't sure if i could ride again, but sure enough, I could.

I know you rode for hyper earlier this yearHow was that team? Did they treat you good?
I rode for Hyper the past 2 NBL season and we got 2 NBL Factory team titles. Riding for that team was nothing short of amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better team to be apart of. I talked with the owner (Clay) a ton during my time on Hyper, and the whole team as well. We were all very close. As far as results, yes that is a major factor in being apart of a National #1 Factory team. But, it is not everything. There is a lot of stuff off the track you have to do, every move you make seems to be watched by others. So you definitely have to be a good person on and off the track. I know our TM Bill Zimmerman always checked up on the riders, have to get good marks in school, not get in any trouble, and be good to your parents. Theres alot of stuff TM's look for in riders.

Why exactly did you quit Hyper?
Well, after competing in the NBL for the past two seasons, winning 40 out of 49 National main events, I wanted more. I wanted to get more into the ABA, go for the NAG Title. At the time of me quitting, Hyper was a NBL Factory team, chasing the NBL title. I knew what is was like chasing the title, and what it took. I couldn't commit to that and the last thing i wanted to do was let my team down by not being at certain races. So I figured it was best to just leave and help them find someone else in my class that could be at the races they needed someone to be at.

Who is your toughest comp.?
In the NBL, in my class, John Andrews, Richard Montalvo, George Costa, Foreigners that come over. In the open classes, theres a ton… Upshaw, Delizia, Pope, Lundy, Brabant, theres too many to name… Not sure about who the comp is in ABA… I guess I will find out in reno.

Who is your favorite pro?
J Rich for his consistency, K Beeezy for his style and ability, Warwick for his power, and dominance, and Bubba for his mentality.

I know you like all the amsbut who do you think has the most skill and will defiantly be topping the pro chart pretty soon?
Picking one is impossible…. Theres far too much talent out there. Top 5 would have to be Upshaw, Lundy, Delizia, Moller, and Danny Caulaug

Who is your favorite girl pro?
Hmmm…. tough one… prolly Jill Botchler… shes been around forever and hasnt quit…

Okheres the fun part.

Aba or NBL? Both.

Warwick or Bubba? Bubba

Dale Holmes or Greg Romero? Georgous G!

What was your favorite race this year?
Definitely the UCI Worlds in Holland. It was the biggest test and hardest thing mentally that I've ever had to do. 278 riders in my class there, you had to be flawless to make the cut. Track was awesome, crowd was CRAZY. The UCI puts on the best show.. there were like 6734654317651347651 people in the stands and before the mains went they got the place sooooo quite you could hear a mouse fart, once the gate dropped, the place exploded. It was crazy.

Favorite color: Black

Favorite company: Dont have one

Favorite track: UCI worlds this year, Egg Harbor, Tanglewood, Louisville, Ontario Ca, Whittier CA

Favorite band: Lil Scrappy, AFI, At the Drive in and Lil Jon ~ Get Crunk Favorite bike: Mine Favorite place to ride: Anywhere dry with jumps.

Thanks a lot for the interview and again good luck with those title chases.Do you have anything else to add or anyone to thank?
Thank you for the interview, Thanks to: Clay @ Hyper, Bill Z, Tyler @ SDG, Chad @ Shimano, Steve @ Brew, Mike @ Atomic, Bill @ Supercross, Burlin @ Supercamp and Ryan @ sun"