Steven Walton is Athlete of the Week

Author: Tim Remick

Welcome, Steven! Good to catch up with you! You’re coming off a pretty good 2016 season, from what we've seen. Give us a quick recap and catch us up on how you’ve been doing.

What’s up Tim! 2016 was by far the most fun season I’ve had to date, started it off with a win at the Port Angeles GRT, a 3^rd place at National Champs, and then finished it with a win at the Final GRT in Mammoth. My world cup qualifying rounds had great first splits and then were plagued with crashes near the bottom.

You’re switching things up for 2017 by joining the Commencal Rider Development Team. What’s the new set-up looking like and how does it feel?

So stoked on the new setup! Fastest I’ve ever felt on a bike to date, can’t wait to get the season underway.

You were on the palmer project development team for 2015 and 2016. How much of a learning experience were those two seasons aboard the Intense/Palmer Project Team?

Two years aboard the Palmer Project was a huge help in helping me develop speed and a strong mental attitude. If there’s anyone that knows how to help you overcome a stressful situation, it’s Palmer.

You competed in your first world cup stint in 2016. Those trips must have been incredible and valuable experiences for you and your racing career, yeah?

Yeah, while I know those weren’t the results I’m capable of I’m so stoked I got to get those races under my belt and see all those amazing places.

You finished out the season strong with some good results (1^st place Mammoth GRT) and were able to make a quick international adventure down south. How did that go?

Hahaha Yeah decided to go down to Mexico for the weekend to race the Ensenada Urbano. The organizers had built some sketchy metal to metal ramps with a super tiny gap, long story short I ended up overshooting it by like 10ft, Full Ronnie Mac straight into the concrete. I landed on a paper plate which I credit for breaking my fall.

Describe to us how you cope with nerves before a race run?

I try to just focus on myself and my own riding. Anytime I start thinking about a competitor I get the mentality of “I want to be faster than them” and I find myself worrying about beating them opposed to doing the best I can. I tell myself I’m not racing someone else, I’m racing the clock.

What are you doing to prepare for the 2017 season? How has your program changed compared to last year?

Going into 2017 I’m really trying to work on my mental game. In 2016 I was 150% dialed with everything else but let my nerves get the best of me at the world cups. I feel like heading into this year’s world cup season I’ll be more calm and collected since I’ve done it before, and I’m really looking forward to it. The program this year is definitely different to previous years and I’m stoked on the change.

If you could describe your riding style in 3 words, what words would you choose?

Smooth but rowdy

Out of all the places you’ve ridden, what was your favorite track to ride and why?

My favorite track was the Leogang world cup, I really enjoyed the conditions and it was super flowy.

Very Nice! Thank you for your time, Steven, and we wish you the best in 2017. Got any supporters you would like to send a shoutout to?

Yeww thanks Tim! Huge thanks to my family for the never ending support, Commencal Bikes for giving me the chance to chase my dreams, as well as Five Ten, Trucker Co, 100%, The boys over at Better Buzz and of course Monster Army and everyone else who supports me!