Top-line AMCA British MX Championship racer and sand expert Tommy Alba is the latest racer to down tools and gets dialled into our Dirty Dozen questions…
Images courtesy of Mike Wood
Dirt Hub: Do you have a Pre-Race Playlist you listen to, and if so, name a couple of tracks that are on it?
Tommy: I love my music, listen to anything from 90’s punk to modern-day pop. The most nostalgic music to me and what I listen to before racing is probably Offspring. I used to listen to it on the way to the nationals when I was a 250 rider. And those times were the best. No one wanted to win on that start line more than me.
DH: When was the last time you cried?
Tommy: The last time I cried in happiness was probably Le Touquet 2018. Finishing 20th place was a huge thing for me and my family. We all sacrificed so much for that race & my name was among world class motocross riders.
DH: What is your favourite inspirational quote?
Tommy: Off the top of my head it’s probably the one most people know. “Never judge a book by its cover”. You truly don’t know what is going on behind closed doors in people’s lives. Your mental health and how hard people have to work to be where they are in life.
DH: Do you have any weird suspicions or pre-race rituals?
Tommy: Yes, for some reason, I always double-tap my chest and point to the sky on the start line & and every time I enter the track on a practice day. I don’t really believe in god, it’s just what I do.
DH: What drives you most to get up in the morning and go training?
Tommy: I think what drives me a lot is what people post on socials. My competition posts a video of them riding on a Wednesday, and I’m balls-deep in oil working on a motocross bike. It gives me motivation no one can ever imagine to beat them. I’ve beaten people this year who I’m not as talented on a bike as them. But my god, I wanted it more. I’m still extremely fortunate to have a family and friends who back and help with my riding. But we struggle, I know where I can be in the sport & I hope I’m a role model for the normal people out there on the grind trying to make it. Sacrificing everything to swing a leg over their bike.
DH: If you didn’t race, what sport would you play?
Tommy: I think I would get into something to do with fitness or mountain biking. But to me, riding a mountain bike is bland compared to an MX bike. I held an under-18’s British heavyweight 500m rowing time years ago, so I think I would possibly go into the cross fit game.
DH: What is your biggest Phobia?
Tommy: I don’t really have one, to be honest. Pretty brutal, but if I have to do something I don’t want to do, I do it.
DH: Who is your biggest sporting idol and why?
Tommy: It’s probably a motocross rider. I’d say (Ken) Roczen, he has a side to him that not many MX riders have. If you really study him & understand some of his thought processes, he’s truly an amazing athlete that NEVER gives up.
DH: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Tommy: In 5 years, hopefully, healthy and enjoying life. You can get tangled up in stress, money, work etc. Your happiness and how you feel inside should be number one.
DH: What is your all-time favourite movie?
Tommy: Got to be Taken!!!
DH: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Tommy: My old man & mother. without them, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I have in the sport. The hours and hours my Dad puts in so every time I’m on the start line, my bike is 100%. Taking me all over England so that I could have the opportunity to ride a bike & express myself on track.
DH: What is your philosophy on life?
Tommy: Do what you truly want to do in life; if you don’t like your job, for example, change it. you never want ‘what ifs’ in life.
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