Wednesday, March 28

Dave Mirra Interview

EXPN

We caught up with Dave Mirra in Anaheim this weekend tearing up the B3 event in the vert and park competitions. Dave ended up taking home both first-place trophies in vert and park on some jaw-dropping runs. Before destroying the B3 courses though, we sat down with "the Miracle Boy" to see what's been going on in his world.

EXPN: What have you been up to in the last few months?

DM: I've been at home. The off-season is great. I am sessioning with all my friends at home and trying to learn new stuff this year so I can come out and do some good runs and be happy with how I ride. The off-season is the best time to learn what you want to learn.

EXPN: So do you have anything big planned? Did you learn any new tricks?

DM: I got a lot of new stuff. It's just a matter of if I can pull it all together, you know? I am psyched; I can't wait to show off my new stuff.

Dave with the huge double-tailwhip at B3 Anaheim. He took first in vert and park.

EXPN: So how do you feel about all the comps and stuff getting bigger and bigger? I mean all the attention the sport is getting now. What do you think is the reason behind all that?

DM: I think it is great. If it gets bigger, it is awesome for the whole sport. I think the reason it is getting bigger is that the fans are liking it and are having a good time watching it. They want to see some different stuff and action sports are where it's at right now. I hope we can all continue to grow like this and walk away really happy and see the kids of the future walk in and having a blast and having more than we had when we were kids.

EXPN: So are you going to the ESPN Action Sports and Music Awards at all?

DM: Oh yeah, I'm going.

EXPN: What do you think of ESPN's involvement in all these comps, the B3 and all?

DM: I think it's awesome! ESPN went out and did something that no one thought was going to be successful and they made it successful. They created a platform for us to basically show what we were all about. I have a lot of respect for ESPN and you have to thank them for making all this possible and bringing it to the mainstream. They are doing great.

EXPN: How do ESPN events - and getting on TV in general - affect your sponsorship?

DM: It definitely makes you a bit more of a role model where kids can actually look up to you and see you on TV. TV is definitely, I think, the reason for success for any sport really. TV is where it's at and ESPN went ahead and did it for us. I am really amped on that.

EXPN: Tell me who your sponsors are.

DM: I have Harro bicycles, DC shoes, Slim Jim, Fox Racing and Arnette sunglasses. My portfolio is complete right now. I'm happy with that.

EXPN: Are there any up-and-coming guys that you want to talk about? Anyone you have been watching or riding with this year that is just tearing it up?

DM: There are lots of great guys coming up, especially in street. Koji Kraft on vert, he has come out of nowhere basically. Josh Harrington from Greenville, N.C., he is looking great. All these kids are just blowing up and they're getting good really fast.

EXPN: You're pretty popular with the kids. They always want to know, what's a day in the life of Dave Mirra like? Give us an idea of a typical day.

DM: On a great day, I try to wake up early, go to the gym, run some errands and then go ride for the rest of the day with my friends. That is a good day for me.

EXPN: So all these kids who are learning to ride, what do you think they should be learning first? Any specific tricks? How long does it take them to get to a level where they can compete?

DM: Well, I have been riding my bike my whole life; my heart was in it from Day One. I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about turning pro. I just spent my time being the best bike rider that I could and stuck with it and it kind of all happened. I think kids need to remember to start slow, have fun and don't do anything that you are not capable of. I mean, that is the best way of staying healthy, is stick to what you know you can do. Take your time and it will all happen.

EXPN: Does Harro have any new bikes coming out this year that are super sick or anything?

DM: Well, I have my signature bike coming out from Harro. It's the same bike, but it's great, so there is no reason to change it.

EXPN: In your mind, who is the best in your sport right now?

DM: I don't think there is one guy. There are so many good riders out there, so many people adding to the sport's progression. I don't think you can nail it to one guy; there are too many to name.

EXPN: Describe the best day of your life.

DM: That is a tough one. I would have to say that the best day of my life would be when I go out and do everything I want to do on my bike then go home and just chill with Jenny. That's hard. I think when everything goes right, that is a good day for me.

EXPN: What other sports do you do, either professionally or recreationally?

DM: You know, I like to play golf. I was going to get a dirt bike to mess around a bit but I think I have devoted the rest of my competing life to bike riding. I want to do one thing the best I can, not five things mediocre.

EXPN: Any favorite mags or movies?

DM: I am down with a lot of magazines. I don't read all that much, but TV shows? "E-Hollywood True Stories" is great. "Behind the Music" - I love seeing what other people have had to go through to get their success. So those amp me up. Sometimes you see someone you might not like but then you see their story and you have a lot of respect for them and you might like them.

Look for more from Dave Mirra this summer as he continues to blow up the BMX scene at B3: Kentucky and the Summer X Games 2001 from Philadelphia, PA. Also, watch for the "Dave Mirra Tour" this summer on ESPN and EXPN.com.