New Absolute MX KTM Racing Team Powered by Mark McCann 64 signing Ben Edwards was the only rider to beat Conrad Mewse (apart from Jeffrey Herlings) in Official Championship Motocross in the UK this year, and now the Scottish ace has the pleasure of answering our Dirty Dozen questions, which are below…
Dirt Hub: Do you have a Pre-Race playlist you listen to, and if so, name a couple of tracks that are on it?
Ben: I’m a huge music guy, like a bit of everything, you’ll always see me in the paddock with headphones on and especially before a race, not really certain tracks I listen to, but a bit of Eminem or Linkin Park gets me fired up.
DH: When was the last time you cried?
Ben: To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I properly cried, but defo shed a tear when I got injured at round 3 of the British championship, not cause of the pain, but knowing my season had come to an end after building up so much momentum.
READ MORE: DIRTY DOZEN INTERVIEWS
DH: What is your favourite inspirational quote?
Ben: Definitely got to be – hard work pays off, or never give up.
DH: Do you have any weird suspicions or pre-race rituals?
Ben: Always put all my left kit on first, left boot, left glove, etc, and usually music always before a race and just go through my motions, kind of like patting my chest a few times behind the gate just to get fired up, also, but nothing mad.
DH: What drives you most to get up in the morning and to go training?
Ben: The pure love of the sport and desire, it’s all I think about 24 hours a day and all I want, where iv came from up north of Scotland no one has ever made it to a certain level and my career hasn’t been the smoothest also with financial troubles and injury’s, and to do my sponsors and supporters proud that have alway had my back.
DH: If you didn’t race, what sport would you play or take part in?
Ben: I grew up doing a lot of BMX, mountain biking, trials and also enduro haha anything with two wheels I’m there, so would definitely be one of them I would pursue, if I was doing them I would have to compete, as I like to have a purpose for living and work for something.
DH: What is your biggest Phobia?
Ben: Yeah some things and heights etc I have a phobia for haha but to be honest the biggest thing the now is in a few years time looking back wishing I had put in more effort in this sport so that’s why I moved away from home more south and giving it 110% as I don’t want to live with the feeling of what if I done this or done that.
DH: Who is your biggest sporting idol and why?
Ben: I grew up when Bubba and RC were in their prime and also everts in Europe, so for sure those guys played a huge part in my career growing up, and I still to this day have a lot of idols in the US and Europe, but I have to go with Shaun Simpson. Being from Scotland, Shaun always helps me to this day when he can. When I used to race club meetings, Shaun used to come up and hand out the trophies for the prize giving, and on the day, he had a coaching school before it, and he also used to take his bike and ride, and there was nothing better as a kid seeing a GP rider ripping round your local track. Those days I’ll never forget.
DH: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Ben: Ive just turned 27 now so for the next 3 to 5 years I really want to make a push in this sport and as Iv said look back and have no regrets, I still work part time so would love the opportunity to be full time for some years so I’m doing everything right with rest/recovery etc and having the time to do what I need to do. I’ve just signed with Absolute MX KTM powered by Mark McCann, so I can’t thank these guys enough for the opportunity, and I really hope the next few years are strong and get the results I’ve worked for.
DH: What is your all-time favourite movie?
Ben: I’ve definitely got a few favourite movies, but the one that sticks out has to be The Great Escape, especially cause Steve McQueen does a good motorbike scene in it, haha.
DH: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Ben: Definitely my family for first getting me into it but just growing up I barley missed a AMA or a GP race on the tv so all those guys definitely got me hooked on it, and can’t forget the likes of pastrana, crusty demons etc in the US the US was just different with all those guys haha, my whole youth career there was definitely stands out in the British championship round about my age group with the likes of Ben Watson, Conrad, and then like Anstie and that abit older but had so many DVD’s etc that I used to just sit and watch on repeat and never get bored of it. Actually, what changed my mindset of riding back then was when Herlings was on 85’s. I used to just sit with my laptop and watch him for hours on YouTube of ripping round Dutch tracks without letting the throttle off haha
DH: What is your philosophy on life?
