Cedric Gracia has been one of the world's top downhill and 4-cross racers for years. And he has made the leap into the freeride scene - with impressive success. At the Redbull Rampage, the showdown of the world's best freeriders in the Utah desert, he outdid the entire elite in this discipline. At the same time, he demonstrates his extraordinary talent on the world's most extreme videos. When I met Cedric at the BIKE Festival in Riva in 2003, I was particularly impressed by his energy. First at a party where he partied and celebrated until the early hours of the morning. The next morning he started the BIKE marathon at 8am. Although he only rode the short lap, he was at the start of the night sprint in the evening of the same day - and finished as the winner. Anyone else would have fallen dead in bed by now. Not Cedric. That's when things really got going for him - at the party organised by his main sponsor Cannondale. The crowd went wild as Cedric painted half-naked girls with body paint on stage, dropped his trousers at the end and posed with his bum in front of the screaming fans - Cedric the rock star. His show alone during these three days offered enough reasons to want to find out more about this exceptional phenomenon.
Cedric, sometimes you drop your trousers on a party stage and show the crowd your bare bum. And then you do a backflip at the Rampage. Are you like that - extreme in all situations?
Definitely, that's me! I always have to do something crazy. When I jumped the backflip and the crowd went wild, I laughed so hard I couldn't even finish the run. I don't really care what other people think, I do what I like. But somehow people love me for it.
You have the image of a rock star. Is it part of the business to cultivate this image?
No, I don't want to represent anything. I am simply who I am.
You said you always do what you want in life? Are you not interested in the opinions of others?
I always listen to what others have to say. But even as a child, I went my own way. When my parents gave me advice, I filtered out the positive things and then did it my way.
How does it feel to be an idol?
I don't know if I'm an idol. I never had one myself. I never wanted to be like anyone else. But if I'm a role model for someone, then I'm very happy about that. I think it's great when I motivate kids to ride bikes and keep them off the streets and away from drugs.
You jumped a backflip for the first time at the Rampage. How did that come about?
It was the last day of training. I didn't want to try any utopian drops. I thought, why not do a backflip? Kyle Strait was there and I asked him what I had to do to do a flip. Seth Morrison also gave me tips. He said it wasn't really any different to skiing. And that's no problem for me. So I gave it to myself! On my first attempt, I let go of the bike upside-down and crashed. That was pretty close. On my second attempt, I landed front wheel first and got stuck in the ground. The third time it worked - that was an awesome feeling! Now I just want to jump flips, even in a downhill or 4-cross race. I also want to be the first person to jump a flip combination on a downhill bike, for example backflip-threesixty. That would be awesome.
You've come a long way in mountain biking. Did you always have your sights set on success along the way?
Well, first of all, I just always wanted to do sport instead of having to work. And then things really took off in 1995. I had already been racing nationally when my sponsor at the time asked me if I would like to take part in the World Cups. That was clear to me. I just wanted to ride as much as possible. And suddenly I was a downhill pro.
Would you have had a "plan B" ready in life if your professional career hadn't worked out?
Whilst I was already a professional, I went to a marketing school for four years, and also to a ski school in Chamonix. I finished the school so that I had a qualification.
How much do top professionals like you earn? Around 250,000 euros?
Quite a good estimate. But drivers like Carter and Lopes earn even more because they live in the States and drivers are still better paid there.
You've achieved a lot in your career. Do you still have goals?
I'm not trying to win the Olympics or anything like that. I just want to be happy, but I don't want to set myself goals that I'm not sure I can achieve. I might end up disappointing myself and I don't want that.
And private goals?
I love houses and cars. I mainly want to invest in houses to invest my money properly.
Do you ever think about all the things that can happen when you're biking?
I know that what I do is not without danger. When I race, I realise that I can injure myself badly. That's normal. You walk a fine line. And yet it's a game. But there are other sports that are much more dangerous. Motorsport, for example. That has nothing to do with games.
Do you believe in life after death, in reincarnation?
In any case.
How do you imagine that?
Maybe I will be something else, maybe an animal. Maybe a monkey. I'd love that.
And what would you do then?
Eating bananas, having sex all day and jumping
jumping from tree to tree ...
PROFILE
Nickname: "French Rocket", "C-dog"
born: 23.03.1978
Height: 1,88 m
Weight: 82 kg
Place of residence: Andorra
Weakness: I can rarely be serious
MTB since: 1994
Pro since: 1997
Biggest disappointment: I had to go to jail before the DH World Championships in Vail.
Biggest success: When I was released from prison and then came second in the 4-cross.
Favourite food: Mexican and sushi
Favourite reading: Hustler
Favourite music: Rap, punk
Favourite activity: Biking and motocrossing with my friends and showing them who's boss.
Favourite travel destination: California, Spain
Favourite biking area: Whistler
Other sports: Motocross, skateboarding, freeskiing
Successes: 2001: Fifth overall in the World Cup in Dual and DH; 2002: Second overall in 4-Cross and DH; 2003: Fifth overall in 4-Cross and second in DH
Website: www.cedric-gracia.com
Cedric's company: www.xtremesportstalent.com
