VOL. 51 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 4, 2014 P61
"
THE SPORT HAS LOST SOME
OF ITS TOP RIDERS TO OTHER
ACTIVITIES THAT PAY BETTER.
"
put everything I had into good
shows," says Smage. "I had a
busy summer putting on Smage
Bros Riding Shows, although they
were lacking a Smage with Phil
doing a separate gig. It put extra
pressure and work on me, but I
think it was a good thing though."
Smage was more than up for
the challenge, though, and even
added some new elements that
really pushed him.
"It also forced me to open up
a bit and do the things that Phil
is so great at, like talking on the
microphone and interacting with
the crowd during and after the
show. That's something he loves,
so I would tend to let him do most
of that. It was good for me to take
that role, not just for a good show
but also to prove to myself I could
do it all. I have never been great
in those situations. My girlfriend,
Hannah, was my announcer for
most of the shows, and I have to
thank her for putting her face on
the line, time after time. I wouldn't
want to be in her position during
my show!"
At 24, Smage is pretty much
the elder statesmen in a sport
dominated by youth here in
the U.S., and he's seen a lot of
changes in the sport during his
tenure at the top. Although he
also admits that he has changed
over the years, as well.
"I think my riding style has
changed with the improvements
to the bikes," says Smage. "Sher-
co has made some huge chang-
es since 2007. As the bikes get
lighter and quicker, the things
you can get up become bigger
and the way you can move the
bike around become more var-
ied. I have learned how important
(Left) When it
comes to trials in
the U.S., there is no
one better than Pat
Smage.
(Above right)
Smage owes some
of his success to
another well-known
U.S. trials rider
Ryan Young (left),
who is Smage's
minder on the
national circuit.
