60 Seconds LOÏC with... BRUNI
With four World Champs titles, France’s Loïc Bruni sits in a position few other racers ever have. Not since the domination of his countryman Nicolas Vouilloz – who was unrivalled through the ’90s and early 2000s – has a male downhiller won so many rainbow jerseys. Following the success of Nico, Fabien Barel and Cedric Gracia, there was a notable lack of French riders on the podium for nearly a decade, as the likes of Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar, Sam Hill and Aaron Gwin took charge, but now we’re seeing a new French revolution. The 25-year-old from Nice is leading the charge, but Amaury Pierron, Loris Vergier and others aren’t far behind. The nickname ‘SuperBruni’ hasn’t come from nothing!
Who is Loïc Bruni?
I’m a pretty simple guy – weird in some respects, but mostly nice.
What do you do?
I ride bikes fast. It’s pretty much the only thing I’m good at.
How did you first get into bike riding?
My dad forced me when I was young! I wanted to ride horses, but my mum had a phobia of them, so I had no choice.
Where do you call home?
Andorra, a little country where life still feels free.
What was your first bike?
A 20in-wheeled chrome Sunn. Ever since then, chrome-coloured bikes have always been my favourites.
Current go-to bike?
My Specialized Turbo Levo.
What gets you excited to ride?
Good dirt and a good crew.
Favourite rider to watch?
Blenky [Sam Blenkinsop] and Ratboy [Josh Bryceland].
Favourite bike film?
Gamble and Earthed 4 – Death or Glory.
Best trail you’ve ridden this year?
Some of the stuff I rode on a trip to Vancouver Island was insane.
Scariest thing you’ve done on a bike?
That would be the road gap on ‘Dream Track’ in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Worst crash you’ve ever had?
Andorra World Cup, 2018. I had a massive one in my qualifying run, crashing into a tree and then the rocks on the high-speed top section of the track. I must’ve been going about 35mph. I was so scared the day after that.
Biggest ride of your life?
Mont-Sainte-Anne, 2019 [It was the World Champs and Loïc pulled it out of the bag to take his fourth rainbow jersey, just 0.5secs ahead of Troy Brosnan].
Clips or flats?
Clips.
Bike park flow or natural gnar?
Natural flow!
Who’d be your dream non-bike sponsor?
Disney.
How far can you wheelie?
Around the world or just 10m along the road, depending on my mood.
What would be your desert island luxury?
My beautiful girlfriend [Awww ~ ed].
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Enjoy school – you’ll miss it when you’re older.
What would you be doing if you weren’t racing World Cup DH?
I’d be a politician, so I could change this messy world and give something back to nature… and pet koalas!