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 Jonny
Walker Interview
Jonny “Wobbler” Walker the 19 year old Cumbrian Trials
star has signed up with KTM Off-Road Racing for 2011, after only one
season of competing in Enduro, so we recently asked Jonny some questions about
his past and what he wants to achieve in Enduro.
Q. Jonny when did you first start riding bike ?
JW - I started riding a PW50 at the age of 4. The first one my Dad
bought was supposed to be red but looked more like pink in colour so I
wouldn't ride it, so he got me a blue one. Both my Dad and older brothers rode
in trials so it was only natural that I progressed into riding local trials
with my Dad.
Q. What has been your greatest achievements so far in
bike sport or any other sport ?
JW - Being the youngest winner of the Pinhard Trophy in 2000.
Q. Do you compete in any others sports besides motorcycle
?
JW - Up-to the age of about 14 I ran in the British Fell Running
Championships, I now run as part of my training. I also do a lot of cycling
entering in the odd cycling and triathlon events.
Q. Why did you decide to change from Trials to Enduro ?
JW - After riding trials for such a long time I felt I needed to do
something different, also all my friends ride either Enduro or MX bikes, there
is no one in my local area who rides trial bikes to my level so had no one to
practice with and I became bored, I like the speed and adrenalin of MX and
Enduro.
Q. What is your daily work ?
JW - I work for the best window business in the area - “Keswick
Windows”- fitting windows, door and conservatories.
Q. Who have been the biggest influences on your riding
career and why?
JW - Firstly I guess my Dad is my biggest influence and the reason I
started in Trials, my friend and fellow local trials rider Oliver Hart was the
reason i started enduro as i went and watched him at an event and decided that
is what i want to do. My friend Shaun 'Sheepy ' Bland has helped me a lot and
also Steven 'Sheriff ' Brayton who is the father of two of my friends, Sheriff
is an ex army fitness instructor and over the years has helped with training
and encouraged me with my
riding.
Q. How was the 2010 season for you , describe highs and lows and what
you have learnt ?
JW – I have really enjoyed my first year riding Enduro. My high point
was coming 1st the expert class at the Knighton on the Saturday. My low point
was falling off at the Dyfi enduro and hurting my back which still bothers me
now, the ironic thing is that Ollie and I crashed in the same place on the
test on our first runs
through and both ended the day in the local hospital !!!. I have never been in
so much pain which is a shame because I was really enjoying myself as I felt
it was one of the best events I had been to, of course I have learned from
that experience and will try not to be so wild in future, I crashed because I
was simply going to
quick.
Q. Who helped you this season ?
JW - I would like to thank my friend and local Builder Shaun Bland, Neil
Crayston at D3 and Richard Thorpe at PJ1 Oils.
Q. What are your future plans and ambitions in Enduro ?
JW - I just want to be the best I can, knowing that I gave 100%, I really
want to be competitive and consistent next season in BEC and BESC, and now I
have support from KORR and D3 I am confident that I will step up a level or
two. I also want to experience some of the international extreme races, I
think with my Trials skills, fitness and with my improving speed I can make
some good results. I make my first appearance for the team next week in Italy,
I will compete in the first round of the World Indoor Enduro championship.
Q. Who for you are the riders that you admire the most ?
JW - From Enduro David Knight, Taddy Blazusiak and Paul Edmondson and they
all came from Trials !!!
Q. Away from the bike how do you rest, relax and have fun ?
JW - I go to the gym most days , but to relax we go to big Ben Braytons
house and have a pot of tea and double chocolate biscuits and watch anything
that is on TV, usually the American MX series. We also go to Jamie Laws house
to relax in his hot tub and go to the cinema. I also like cyling and Golf.
Q. What events do you plan to compete in next year and which bike will
you use ?
JW - The World indoor events, British Enduro Sprint's, British Enduro
series, Local MX's and any other events my team thinks I should be doing, I
move up to the championship class on a KTM 300 EXC and its a big learning
year, I just need to ride, ride and ride to get as much experience under my
belt as possible. There is
no pressure or big expectations from the team, they want me to just learn and
find my feet, the year after in 2012 will be the year to really have a go,
although I will be trying next year trust me!!
Q. You have now started testing and training with KORR team and bikes,
what are your impression's so
far ?
JW - I can't believe how good the bikes are, so much better than my old
nail !! or that's how it feels compared to a KORR race bike, before I just
rode what I had and that was just a stock bike, I did not understand how to
change the bike and set it up, I adjusted my style to fit the bike, I am
amazed at the possibility's to fine tune my KTM, just the difference in
Suspension is amazing and then there is so many adjustments to change the
power delivery and loads of other stuff you never think of, my bike now is
awesome and we have only just started !!, I’d really like to thank Julian
and KORR.
Q. You will go to the first round of the World Indoor Endure
championships, what are your expectations and will such a big event make you
nervous ?
JW - I really don't know what to expect as I have never ridden against the
Worlds best Enduro riders in a stadium before, although I did race the trials
class at Sheffield's Indoor Enduro last year and won. I am usually calm and
relaxed (too much some people say) I will just go and try my best. The most
important thing for me now is experience I go to learn, any result will be a
bonus.
Q. Whats are your objectives for next season
JW - Goals for 2011? train hard and make it happen
Riding Achievements to date:
2000: 1st British youth trials championship and Pinhard award winner
2001: 1st British youth trials championship
2002: 2nd British youth trials championship
2003: 3rd British youth trials championship
2004: 2nd British youth trials championship
2005: 2nd British youth trials championship
2006: 6th British youth trials championship
2007: 5th British youth trials championship
2008: 3rd British youth trials championship and 15th world and European
championship
2009: 8th world and 4th European championship
2010: 5th E2 British expert championship
  
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