National Series Profile: Michael Potter

While the MTBA Subaru National Series started in December, it’s about to get very busy in the next eight weeks. We caught up with young gun Michael Potter at a Manly-Warringah STXC race, where he came 2nd to ex World Cup down hill racer turned road racer Tom Patton. The 17 year old told us about his new team, his goals and showed us his new Trek Superfly.

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AMB: Michael, congratulations on getting a ride with the Trek Australia team for 2015 – how did this come about?

About two weeks before I went to Norway for the 2014 World Championships I raced at the Rocky Trail 4hr at Mt Annan. In between laps I had a chat to Peter Dowse who I had met over at the two World Cups that I went to with the National Team. During this chat he asked what I had planned for the up and coming season and said that along with the rest of the people at Trek he could help me out. A day or two later the process was going ahead for me to ride with them in the 2015 season.

AMB: What are your goals for the year ahead – will being on such a big team help? 

My goals for this season are to podium at all the National rounds and Oceania’s and win National Champs. I would also like to make the National Team and head back over to Europe to race both Nove Mesto and Albstadt World Cups where I would like to place in the top 20. Being on Trek Racing Australia will help me reach these goals through all the incredible support that they have offer.

AMB: Some of the best mountain bikers in Australia, and the world, are on or involved with the Trek team – what’s the vibe like when lots of the team are together?

Both Dan McConnell and Bec Henderson came through this team and they are now some of the world’s best. The team is incredible. The support and opportunities are far beyond what I ever expected. The work that both Peter Dowse and Richard Peil offer is absolutely amazing and I appreciate and am so grateful for all that they provide me with. On top of this, the team have great vibe that makes all the trips both fun and entertaining.

“No specific setup – I just run slammed.” Not even a bearing cover…

AMB: You race on the road a bit as well – is that just for the training or is it part of your long term goals?

I use the road mainly for training but this year I am looking forward to competing at both the State and National Hill Climb, where I hope to finish in the top 5. I also want to compete at the U19 National Championship where I would like to finish in the top 20 in the Road race.

AMB: The MTBA Subaru National Series has lots of racing this year – will you be at all the rounds, and which one are you looking forward to the most?

I will be competing at all the MTBA Subaru National Series races. The races that I am looking forward to the most are Pemberton because from what I have seen it looks like a track at is going to be a lot of fun. I am also looking forward to Stromlo because it is a good track that will test everyone’s ability.

AMB: Who have you looked up to when racing at local, state and national level events?

The athlete that I look up to is Dan McConnell because he has shown to the whole of Australia, and the world, that he can mix it with the best in Europe.

AMB: Of all the places you’ve raced your bike, what was the best location? Why?

My favourite location that I have raced at is Nove Mesto in the Czech Republic because the track has very fun and technical features throughout the whole course which keeps you on your toes. Also the crowd is incredible with the whole track covered in spectators who cheer for everyone. On some of the main sections there are a good 2 or 3 rows of spectators who are cheering you on.

For more information on the Subaru MTBA National Series, check the series website.

Potter ran 2nd place to Tom Patton when we caught up with him.