Inside Info: Henry Blake (& his Zerode G-1)

Henry will be racing inA�Under 19’s at the upcoming National Series and is hopeful of making the 2012 Junior World Championship’s team.

First of all Henry, lets talk about the past (2010-2011) National Series and how was that for you?

It was pretty dissapointing, I didn’t really have the races that I wanted to, it started off well with a top 5 which I was surprised about. It was my first year in Under 19’s, after the first race I crashed at a lot of the races and couldn’t keep it upright. Oh well, I still finished 6th overall which was alright.

How about National Championships’, here in your home town of Adelaide:

I was feeling good for National Champs, I thought I could get at least top 4 which would have been sick. I was having an alright run but the last 20m from the finish line, I went off a jump, missed the landing and crashed! I had to pick up my bike and run across the finish line.

So there have been a lot of crashes with your racing lately, why do you think that is?

I think it’s dealing with the pressure and I think I need to practice quicker, instead of just trying to go quicker in my race run than I have been in practice and just not being able to hold it.A�

If it’s pressure does this mean it’s going to keep happening if the more you keep thinking ‘I can’t crash’ and put more pressure on yourself?

That’s what happens and you think about it more and more, if you crash at one race you think to yourself not to crash at the next race. You really just have to try and block it out but it can be hard.

A�

Moving on from crashing though, after the National Series you went over to Crankworx. How was that experience?

It was sick, it was wet the whole time butA�the tracks were insane and i got to raceA�three races over there. The races went okay, I crashed at the first one! But got topA�five at Garbo which was cool because it’s such a big long track. I was happy to get the experience and have some fun.

The tracks over there are full on compared to many of the Aussie race tracks but they are similar to World Cup style tracks, what were your thoughts on them?

They are different, here your not used to roots being on the track and they are steep, slippery roots everywhere on the track. It gives you more to think about when you are riding but it’s a lot of fun and itA�would have helped any more overseas races I did.A�Its helped me with my riding later in life.

You raced Elite in the South Australian State Series even though you could have still raced Under 19, what were your aims for the series?

It went pretty well, I wasn’t expecting much butA�I did want to podium at every single race, which i did except one which I am alright with. As the series went onA�I wanted to finish second overall, so I could have the number 2 plate next year. I just got pipped at the post though by a couple of points. I still got third overall in Elite in my first year which I was happy about.

State Champs are on the October long weekend at Eagle on a track very similar to the Nationals track, what are the goals for that race?

Obviously everyone wants to win it! But I am trying for at least top two, which would be sick. I always seem to doA�alright at Eagle, the track seems to suit me.

Leading into the upcoming National Series have you set any goals?

I want to try and get some podiums and at least get top 4 overall. I am planning to make it onto the Junior Worlds team.

National Champs is in Adelaide again, on a track you said you seem to do well on, what are the goals for that?

I would definitely like to getA�a podium there, especially since it is at home and I have the benefit of that. I will just try not to fall off again, I will practice and get everything dialled!

Your riding for a new team, Clint White Racing, on the Zerode bikes, how did that come about?

Marcus Fairbanks, who is also on the team, told me about it and I just spoke to Clint and he was really keen for an interstate (not from Victoria) and junior rider to be on the team. He offered me the position and it went from there.

So what races will the team be doing?

The Victorian State Series, the Victorian State Champs, the National Series, theA�National Champs and Oceanias (which will be in New Zealand for 2012).

You have only had the bike for a few days but how is it to ride?

It’s insane! It handles rough stuff so well.A�I have almost found the rougher it gets, the faster it wants to go. It still rides light, handles corners well and sticks to the ground, all round it’s a sick bike.

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With the gearbox style set up you can change gears without having to pedal, what’s that like?

It’s kind of weird because you change gears and expect to feel a clunk or crunch or something but it doesn’t. It is cool to be able to comeA�out ofA�corner, change gearsA�and not feel a crunch as you pedal.

With the placement of the gears (it is a Shimano hub placed in the frame roughly above the bottom bracket) do you notice the different weight placement and do you have to change your style to suit?

Not really, it feels like a normal bike, the weight in the middle helps more and you do get less rolling resistance which is good so it rolls better. It takes jumps really well. It is so much more pedal efficient than any other bike i have ridden as well.

Is the team riding on stock frames?

Yeh they are stock, nothing different to what anyone else can buy. Stock frame with stock parts.

Finally, with a new bike and after last years experience are you approaching the up coming races any differently with your training, etc?

I am training more now than I used to but I haven’t changed my approach much, I just ride my bike as much as i can whenever I can, having fun is the main thing!

Look out for Henry at the up coming races as he shows everyone his skills as a rider. His team also features Marcus Fairbanks and Tim Eaton, it is good to see more support and teams being put together for races around Australia. We tookA� a few snaps of Henry’sA�Zerode G-1. Have a look at one of the most unique bikes going around: