You stayed at Woodward for a while, how was that?
Ali: I RECKON WOODWARD IS THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN STUFF.. EVERYTHING IS PERFECT AND FUN..I AM GLAD I LIVED THERE FOR A WHILE BECAUSE I WOUNDN'T BE THE PERSON I AM TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT PLACE....
Now that you're living in Greenville, do you miss Woodward?
Ali: NO, I'VE MOVED ON SINCE THEN. I CAN'T BE AROUND BMX 24/7, IT DRIVES ME CRAZY, I NEED TO BE DOING OTHER STUFF. I LOVE HANGING OUT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE SAME SCHEDULE AS ME AND WANT TO DO RANDOM THINGS AT THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT..
How is living in Pro town?
Ali: I AM HAVING A BLAST. EVERYONE IS FUN AND THE WEATHER IS HOT AND THE WINTER IS NOT THAT COLD. PLENTY OF BIG RAMPS TO RIDE AND LOTS OF FUN TO BE HAD. PRO TOWN IS A SILLY NAME FOR THIS PLACE...I THINK I WOULD JUST CALL IT BMX VILLAGE...
You've been with Macneil for a long time. Are you stoked to be part of their program?
Ali: YES, DEFO A GOOD THING...MIRON IS THE MAN.. I LIKE WHERE HE IS TAKING BMX AT THE MOMENT, ALL HIS CONTESTS ARE AMAZING AND HIS NEW IDEAS FOR MACNEIL ARE THE BEST... HE HAS SOME HELP FROM OUTSIDERS WHICH HAVE HELPED A LOT. MACNEIL IS CLEAN
Who are your sponsors these days?
Ali: MACNEIL BIKES, VANS SHOES, THE SHADOW CONSPIRACY, OAKLEY CLOTHES/SHADES, PRO-TEC HELMETS, ROUNDABOUT, ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK.
You seem to be an all-round rider with plenty of skills on all disciplines. Could you ride vert if it became an Olympic sport at the 2012 Olympic Games in London?
Ali: I DON'T THINK SO BUT I HAVE 5 YEARS TO LEARN HOW TO GO 13 FT ON A VERT RAMP...MAYBE I'LL TRY ONE DAY... NO WAY VERT IS BORING I COULDN'T GO BACK AND FORTH FOR 60 SECONDS, I WOULD LOSE MY MIND....HAHA
As a member of the Roundabout crew, can you describe what that is all about?
Ali: ROUNDABOUT IS ABOUT A BUNCH OF CLOSE FRIENDS GOING ON A ROADTRIP AND FILMING IT, RIDING, HANGING OUT AND SILLY STUFF AND MAKING A DVD AND SHOWING PEOPLE THAT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT. MAKE A VIDEO AND HAVE FUN DOING IT. IT'S THE BEST THING EVER.
Function over fashion or fashion over function?
Ali: FUNCTION FIRST BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK GOOD.
You also do some FMX riding from time to time. Is it easy to transform your BMX skills to the dirt bike or is it harder than people think?
Ali: I'VE BEEN RIDING DIRT BIKES THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME I'VE RODE BMX SO IT DON'T FEEL THAT DIFFERENT BUT IT'S REALLY SCARY BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING SO FAST. I AM WAY MORE FOCUSED RIDING MY DIRT BIKE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO FALL OFF. I LOVE IT.
When is the last time you wore some fruit boots?
Ali: WOODWARD, ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. ALL THE STAFF CHANGED SPORTS FOR A BIT AND SKATEBOARDING IS GAY SO I PUT THEM BOOTS ON. THAT'S GAY AS WELL BUT SKATEBOARDING IS WORSE...
What music are you into?
Ali: A BIT OF EVERYTHING...PUNK, EMO, HARDCORE, HIPHOP, DANCE...WHATEVER HAS BASS...AND PLAY IT LOUD AS HELL .
What do you miss from the UK?
Ali: MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, DRIVING STICK CARS, GOING TO THE CLUBS IN ENGLAND IS SO FUN, I MISS THE MUSIC.
What's Ali doing in 10 years from now?
Ali: I'LL TELL YOU IN 10 YEARS. I COULDN'T TELL YOU NOW. DEFINITELY HAVING FUN. DEFINITELY RIDING A BMX AROUND, WORKING HARD FOR NOT A LOT OF MONEY. MAYBE A DAD. LOVING LIFE I HOPE...
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