Dan McConnell: Building for 2015

Earlier this year, we caught up with XCO sensation, and Trek Factory Racing superstar Dan McConnell, to ask about what the end of the year held, and what’s on the horizon for 2015.

How was your season in retrospect? There were no wins but plenty of podiums.

I am really happy with how my season went, after last year I was quite nervous coming into this season as I really wanted to say in the top ten and prove last year was not just a once off season. So to finish every World Cup in the top ten with four podium rides well and truly exceeded my goals!

You’re known for breaking away late in races and finishing fast. This year we’ve seen a lot more diesel work, a constant pace throughout the race, are you trying to bridge the gap to Schurter and Absalon?

Last year I really tried to race consistent lap times, I didn’t have the speed early on in the race to go out with the top guys so I would try to settle into my pace really early on in the race and try to pull them back in the last few laps. This season I felt that I had a lot more speed over the first two laps which is something that I have worked on a lot, this allowed me to go out with the leaders and when it was time to settle into my race pace I didn’t have as much work to do passing riders but instead could concentrate on aiming for the podium.

You had a bit of bad luck at World Champs. What did you take away from that race, was it somewhere you thought you could do well?

It was a really big goal of mine to have a strong ride at worlds, after last year where I crashed into a monkey in SA just days before the race which ended my chances I was focused on this race. It was super disappointing to finish the season again on a down after so much work had gone into the race and I really felt I had a good race in my legs.

It’s hard to take much out of it, I did everything I could to get myself into a medal position but that’s racing sometimes. I did stay and watch the end of the race from the sidelines and saw how much it meant for Absolon to win after years off the top step, it was hard to watch from the side but I will definitely use those emotions to fuel the fire.

So do you have lots of work to do in the off season? Where will we find you?

I’m having my end of season break now which I will enjoy, but once back in training I’m really looking forward to next year already. I will be at most of the MTBA National rounds over the summer in preparation for next year’s World Cups which again are the main goal!