Curtis Manaton | 15 with Fifteen

September 2017

Curtis Manaton | 15 with Fifteen

September 2017

15: How long have you been racing BMX?

Curtis: I have been racing BMX since I was around 5 years old, a friend of my dad’s took his son to a track in Bristol and said to take me down, I went and loved it ever since! 

15: Did you have any BMX idols when you were starting out?

Curtis: I think I mainly looked up to Liam Phillips as I grew up riding and training with him. Pete (Liam’s dad) sponsored me for most of my younger years so that helped me a lot!

15: Before we get to your Elite career give us some of your results from your amateur days?

Curtis: I’m not sure I’ve ever been national champion on 20” as a kid … maybe I’m wrong. I was top 3 during most of my younger years but just fell short of the number 1. I won the British Champs when I was younger in Ipswich. I think my best result as a kid was European number 8 in Klatovy Czech Republic.

‘I’m really happy with how 2017 has gone, my goal was top 8 in Europe which I achieved’

15: Are you a full time Elite rider now or do you have to get up and go to a 9 to 5?

Curtis: I’m a full-time athlete as such, I do a lot of coaching/training with younger riders which helps with funds on the side. Thankfully having a good season, prize money helps a lot and of course having supportive parents who go along way for me is priceless! 

15: You’ve just wrapped up your second UK Elite title in two years, you’ve been on the podium in Europe, you’ve got to be happy with the year! Have you hit all your targets? What’s been your most satisfying result this year?

Curtis: Yes, I’m really happy with how 2017 has gone, my goal was top 8 in Europe which I achieved. Picking up a podium was my stand out result as I fell short a few times earlier on in the year so it was nice to get that result at the last rounds. Winning the national series again was good, winning plenty of rounds and being consistent is what everybody strives for!

15: The switch to Stay Strong this year has gone well, have they been treating you well? We assume you’ll be on the new frame next year, have you gotten to test it out yet?

Curtis: Yes, my move to Stay Strong has been successful, I have enjoyed my first year with them and hope to come to an agreement to continue for next year as I’ve appreciated the support from Marco and Stephen himself, when I’ve needed something I’ve got it, and that’s what every rider appreciates! I haven’t tried the new frame yet but with it being lighter, stiffer than the current frame it looks really promising so I hope to get on one soon!

BIKE CHECK:

Sprocket: Stay Strong / Rennen Normally 46/17

Bottom Bracket: Praxxis

Pedals: HT Components SX

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: Shimano DXR

Front Hub: Stealth

Rear Hub: Stealth

Rims: Box Focus

Tyres: Tioga Fastr React or PowerBlocks 1.75″ front & rear

Plate: Box Phase One

2017 BIKE CHECK:

Frame: Stay Strong XXXL

Forks: Stay Strong Race DVSN 

Bars: Stay Strong V One Race

Grips: Stay Strong ODI 

Stem: Stay Strong Pro Race

Headset: FSA

Seat: Stay Strong Race DVSN

Post: Stay Strong Piviotal

Clamp: FSA

Cranks: Box Vector 177.5mm

Sprocket: Stay Strong / Rennen Normally 46/17

Bottom Bracket: Praxxis

Pedals: HT Components SX

Brake Caliper: Shimano DXR

Brake Leaver: Shimano DXR

Front Hub: Stealth

Rear Hub: Stealth

Rims: Box Focus

Tyres: Tioga Fastr React or PowerBlocks 1.75″ front & rear

Plate: Box Phase One

15: Being outside of the Team GB camp has got to be difficult for a UK Elite rider … does it essentially rule out going to Worlds and that other race that happens every four years? There must be lots of positives too though? 

Curtis: Yes, I missed out on the worlds this year, although I found out you can actually apply to go if you’re outside the program, at the time I had my goals elsewhere and was focusing on achieving those. Next year I hope to be able to at least put myself in a position to go. With the Olympics side of things, I’m not too sure on the situation at the moment. I have enjoyed being away from Team GB and being able to attend races when and where I want and experimenting with my own training etc. but that’s not to say the program is something to ignore as I think it has a lot of benefits and positives. For example, medical treatment, coaching staff and facilities, I just felt I needed a chance at the time and I’ve managed to stay focused and keep my progression going forwards! 

15: Do you look after all your own training or do you have a coach or a training partner?

Curtis: I do all my own training plans/race plans, since leaving the team I have worked with a coach for a period of time but that came to an end towards the end of 2016 as he had full time coaching commitments, which was a shame! But I’m happy with how my training is going, one thing I like is being my own coach I listen to my body more and when my body tells me to stop or push more I can reflect that into my training. Train smart guys! 

15: Do you enjoy training or is it just a means to an end? Where will you spend most of the off season, in the gym, at the track?

Curtis: I love training and seeing improvements/goals being reached. Knowing your own plans and training is working is satisfying. For the off season, it will be a lot of gym like most people but I enjoy riding my bike too much to stop that completely so I will still hit the track twice a week!

15: You have hinted at training videos from yourself coming soon … what’s the plan with them?

Curtis: I’ve just posted my first edit “day in the life” I just feel being an athlete who is doing everything on his own, training/racing it would be good to help others in my situation and show some of the things I get up to. I will try to post a new video each week as my training changes through the off season. If you haven’t seen my first edit … here it is. 

15: Given the choice are you racing an 8m SX track or at a ‘traditional’ track?

Curtis: I train on a traditional small track in Burnham on sea. I think this side of BMX gives for better racing and a better image for a sport for people who haven’t seen the sport before, that’s not to say I don’t like the SX racing because I do and I will look to do more in the future but this year with my funds/budget I had to prioritise my races to achieve my goals I set! 

15:  What has been your favorite track you’ve raced on … do you have one you just don’t get on with?

Curtis: I know I finished up with one of my best results there but the SX track in Norway this year was one of my favourite, I think the corners could be better but the straights themselves we’re challenging but fun, it was so fast having most of the track made of block paving/tar mac! UK wise I’m a fan of Cumbernauld and Birmingham, always fast and run smooth! 

15: The UK scene always seems to be really well run … is there anything you’d change to make it better?

Curtis: I really enjoy the UK race series, it’s great to see the numbers growing each year at the events. But yes, I feel the amount the sport has developed and the commitment/sacrifice some of us elite guys make the prize purse could be higher!! 

15: What’s your goal for the 2018 season? Where will we see you on the gate?

Curtis: I shall be setting my goals for 2018 very shortly but I’m looking to the Euro rounds again and for sure will be looking to better my 8th place in the overall. I will be at as many UK races as possible like I always do. SX side of things I will look at nearer the time as living out the way and not having any “elite” guys around me who are not apart of team GB makes it hard to cut the costs of those races! 

‘Knowing your own plans and training is working is satisfying’

15: What are the long-term plans? Do you have any desire to go take on the USA BMX series for example?

Curtis: For sure USA is something I’m always looking at doing, during the season is hard as doing all the Euros and UK Nationals doesn’t leave much space to spend a good quality chunk of time out there. I will look at some dates and spaces when I can potentially head out there to experience the US circuit! 

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Photos by Abi Taylor Photo | UEC