Levi Sherwood at just 18-years-of age is the youngest of this year's Red Bull X-Fighters, but the New Zealand rider is in fourth place overall in the standings and will be one of the main contenders at Battersea Power Station this weekend.
We spoke to Sherwood after his opening practice session at the iconic London venue to find out more about the teenager with the unusal nickname...
What do you think of this weekend's venue Levi?
It’s the second time I’ve been here and it’s amazing. I kind of knew what to expect, having been here before, but it’s definitely one of the cooler places I’ve been to.
Tell us about your nickname.
I’ve got a pretty silly nickname, which I’ve kind of been given, which is ‘Rubber Kid’. I’m not a big fan of it, but it’s stuck, so I pretty much got it because I’m young and flexible and not old and stiff like the other guys.
What trick are you best known for?
My specialist trick this year has been the ruler flip. You’re hanging upright whilst your bike is upside down doing a back flip, but when I’m practicing pretty much 90 percent of the time I’m trying to think of a new way to do a trick or a whole new trick. It’s kind of painful because you don’t get much done when you’re thinking about that, but I get bored if I just try the same stuff all the time.
'My first impression of the course was that it’s awesome' – Levi Sherwood
What's it like to be competing against and beating the legends of the sport at 18?
To be riding alongside all these other guys like Mat Rebeaud, Robbie Maddison and Nate Adams is amazing. I always looked up to these guys and watched them on TV when I was younger, so it’s pretty much a dream come true to be riding this tour and competing against these guys.
What about the dangers involved?
We all know about the danger and we still have fears even though some people don’t think so. The only person that doesn’t is Robbie Maddison, but all of us still get scared every now and then, but this is what we do every day, so it’s second nature to us.
You've just ridden a practice session. What was it like out there?
My first impression of the course was that it’s awesome. It’s so much fun and the jumps are really flowy - it’s been designed really well because every landing you’ve got somewhere to shoot off to and do another jump. I can’t wait to get out there and ride a run. We’ve done two practices so far and I feel really comfortable on this course.
Who's the favourite this weekend in your view?
It’s always anyone’s game really. I think there’s been a different winner each round this year and you think you’ve done a strong run then someone else will come in and steal it. I’m feeling pretty comfortable. Qualifying is a big thing. You see how you’re doing then, so I’ll tell you after that.
Is there a holy grail of tricks that you’re working towards or what do you think the next big thing will be in FMX?
At the last round in Madrid, Maddo [Robbie Maddison] was doing body variables which is something that has only been seen in Best Trick competitions and also Clinton Moore was doing it, so I’m pretty sure they’ll be doing them here. It’s a big step for this year and Cam [Cameron Sinclair] has done the double backflip, so some of the Best Tricks are coming into freestyle runs, which makes it really difficult.
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