EVOLUTION IN PROGRESSJULY 2,
EVOLUTION IN PROGRESSJULY 2,
Andrew Shandro gives back
Photo by Sterling Lorence
Interview By Ryan Cleek
Although mountain biking is a sport with many unique personalities, Andrew Shandro has the most impressive resume. Shandro was born and raised on Vancouver’s North Shore. His dynamic career has taken Shandro from top downhill racer to freeride icon to dedicated product developer to riding instructor. Andrew was on the road to promote Trek’s new freeride bike line. We met him just before he left and got his opinion about the current state of mountain biking and where it is headed.
MBA: Please describe the evolution of your involvement with the sport from cross-country to downhill World Cups and now.
Shandro My riding career was shaped by my upbringing on the North Shore. When I was 15, I bought my first bike, a Nishiki Bushwacker. It was heavy and steel. My dad loved bikes and would take me on stealth missions. We also used to ride Blackcomb’s fire roads. Sterling Lorence, my friend and one other guy took me to my first race when I was 17. Mt. Ste. Anne, Quebec Super Cup. In my first year of downhill racing I did very well and beat Cullinan and Tomac the following year. This gave legitimacy to the Canadian kid. I was able to get hooked up with sponsors and won a few World Cups, X-games, numerous Canadian titles, and NORBA races. In 2001 I stopped racing, but I will continue to race in a few local events, such as the Gravity Festival Air DH and Grouse Mountain World Cup.
MBA
Shandro Yes, we have a boy and, as of a few week ago, a girl. It’s an exciting time here.
MBA: Are you inspired by other sports?
Shandro I grew-up skiing and have always been a fan of ski racing. I admire how they can control high-speeds and are so comfortable. Freeskiers are so passionate about what they do and it’s amazing to see how they connect their lines and flow downhill.
MBA – What was it about your early days riding that attracted people to your style?
Shandro People have told me that I’m a smooth rider. My early career was marked by taking risks and choosing different routes. However, I’ve grown to be a better rider over the years, which is partly why I’m still at the level that I am today.
MBA – Was your transition from freeriding to pro downhill a natural one?
Shandro Although I was a racer in my youth, I started filming movies about mountain bikes from the beginning. I was able to film many movies about the progress of riding because of my location on the North Shore.
MBA: Is it possible to stay at the top of the sport without racing?
MBA: Are you able to manage the business side of your sponsorships?
Shandro I manage all my sponsorships, rather than having them handled by an agent. Because it builds trust, I prefer to be more approachable with sponsors. Open communication allows for the sharing of ideas and I believe I can help the sponsors understand the trends that I see in the younger riders.
MBA – What’s your relationship with Wisconsin-based Trek and how did this sponsorship come about?
Shandro I’m joining Trek to help develop freeride products and direct marketing efforts. Trek has some great plans for the freeride segment. Trek has some really cool plans for their freeride segment.
It’s amazing to see the evolution of bikes. It was 15 years ago that there was no suspension. I remember when I first started racing. The eight-inch travel downhill bike is capable of doing amazing things today. The sport of downhill riding is becoming more popular and people are discovering how much fun it is.
For the complete interview with Andrew Shandro, pick up the August issue MBA
