Alexander Maniatis
/
Australia
FOLLOW ME
http://antoncooper.co.nz/
Date of birth:
1994.08.11
Hometown:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Sponsors:
Cannodale Factory Racing,
Oakley,
Armstrong Motor Group,
Sky NEXT,
Hub Cycles,
Back Country Cuisine,
Hobbies:
Tramping (that’s New Zealand for bushwalking/hiking), fast cars, good music
Favourite athletes:
Richie McCaw (Rugby) Brendon McCullum (Cricket), Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Rowing)
BIO
I started racing mountain bikes when my Dad encouraged me to enter my first race and I’ve been hooked ever since. I really enjoy riding as well as training hard to get results. It takes me to amazing places around the world. I became Junior World Champion in 2012, and then moved to the Under 23 category where I’ve won a World Cup in 2013. I became the youngest ever winner of the Commonwealth Games MTB XC Gold medal in 2014.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
This year I would like to win the Under 23 World Champs and gain Olympic Qualification. In the long term I would like to win an Elite World title and the Olympic Games.
What would be your greatest achievement so far?
Winning the Under 19 World Champs in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Traveling the globe and dealing with jet lag/trying to stay healthy. You also need to be able to handle pressure from sponsors and fans.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Nothing beats putting the hours into training and achieving the result you were aiming for when competing. It makes it all worthwhile!
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
I often train alone, all I need is a bike and some trails! I also spend quite a bit of time training on my road bike. My favorite spots to ride are mostly home in New Zealand.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
I find training with a power meter and heart rate monitor crucial to monitoring training intensity and performance gain. I also like to keep my goals/targets at the forefront of my mind for motivation on those cold rainy days.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
Getting a mechanical or having something out of my control go wrong and ruin my race.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My parents have been biggest fans and number one supporters since day 1. I guess that’s just the way parents are meant to be!?
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
Be a humble winner and a gracious loser. Also keep it fun and don’t forget why you started to ride a bike…..for pleasure!
What are your future plans?
A house, wife, kids and nice cars. Also give back to the community and those that helped me get to where I am.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Keep it fun and don’t take it too serious too early. Just because you didn’t win your local club race doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of a world title further down the track. No one wins everything!
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?