Name: Andrew Watson
Birth Date: May 30 1983
Place of Birth: Newmarket Ontario
Currently Living: Criaghurst Ontario

What Norco bikes do you ride? Team Carbon Hardtail, CRR road bike and a CCX come the fall cyclocross season
Who are some of the most important and influential people in your life and career? Definetly my parents. Without them my cycling never would have got rolling, I think that’s true of just about any athlete.
Do you have any hobbies outside of cycling? If so what? Sure, one thing that goes along with lots of training is recovery so I’ve become a bit of a film geek, always on the lookout for a good movie to put the feet up and watch after a hard training day. In the winter you’ll find me on either cross country skis, snowboarding, downhill skiing, or snowshoeing.
If you weren't a pro mountain biker, what would you be? Tough one, if I had never gotten into the crazy sport I’d probably still be in school trying to figure out what I want to do, right now if I was to stop racing I’d probably start coaching.
Where's your favorite place to travel? Out west for sure, Fernie, Kamloops, Canmore.
What would you list as a career highlight? 24th at Worlds in 2005 was a nice result for me, More recently winning the Senior elite overall Canada Cup this season, I had won the U-23 title 3 times, but this one was more meaningful, I’ve always been a consitent racer and that’s what the series rewards so it was nice to win it this year.
What has been your best riding experience? Looking back I did a little road trip back to Ontario from Sea otter years ago with a friend and we did some pretty nice rides ,Moab, fruita, Zion, it was a wicked trip that with all the racing and training its tough to do that type of riding, but I’d like to do something like that again. I’ve never really been much of a MTB’er outside of racing, so it was a nice change.
And the worst? Again very recent, crashing out of Canada Cup finals this year with about 2 minutes left in the race. I didn’t need the result for the overall, but laying on the trail not being able to move for a few minutes was a low point for sure. I cheered up when I realized my leg wasn’t broken.
What band or song have you been listening to the most lately?This new Eminem album has caught my interest, im not big into music, I’m tone deaf so really a lot of music just sounds the same to me.
What are your biggest strengths on the bike? Now I’d say my experience, I’ve been racing long enough to know what battles to pick and which to retreat from.
Do you have any advice to beginners? Stick with it and look where you want to go, and remember everyone crashes, every time you do though your that much closer to knowing your limits.
What's your best idea of having good time? Really not much, xc racing and training is exhausting enough, for me a nice quiet evening out with friends is what I enjoy most right now.
One Thing You Can't Leave Home Without: My Panda bear beach towel, goes everywhere with me.
Who/What gets you motivated to ride: Wanting to get faster and better myself on my bike is what keeps me going. Everyday I’m on my bike I learn something new about myself.
Do you remember what your first Bike was? Haro V1? I think awesome bike, canti brakes, full rigid and weighed 29 lbs for some reason.
What first got you into riding? There was a local series near my house I went and checked out with my neighbour, Hated it at first thought it was a silly exhausting sport, but I’ve been hooked ever since.
What do you enjoy most about riding for Norco? Racing for the most well supported team in Canada allows me to just focus on my riding, knowing I have the backing to ride world class bikes and parts allows me to really push myself.
Key goals for 2011? Step up my world cup performances next year so I can start getting into a better start position. And top three at Nationals.
Sponsor Shout out: Thanks to everyone at Norco for all the support the past two years, I’ve improved greatly because of it and look forward to improving even more in the years to come.