On The Pegs October 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 10 | Page 110

On The Pegs
P 110
On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 10 - October 2018
P 111
MADDIE HOOVER:
DEBRIEFED
US WOMEN’S PRO CHAMPION MADELEINE HOOVER HAS SPENT THE
BIGGEST PART OF THE YEAR COMPETING AND TRAINING IN EUROPE WHERE
SHE WAS REWARDED WITH SECOND OVERALL IN THE FINAL TRIAL2
WOMEN’S STANDINGS. ON THE PEGS SPOKE WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA
RIDER TO GET HER PERSPECTIVE ON HER AMAZING YEAR.
How do you feel about finishing second in TrialGP?
Pretty excited. Of course I was aiming for first, but I am very proud to show that
I am competitive on the world scene. At this level everybody is good and getting
better and Alex was great competition in Trial2. I am hoping I can really bring it
next year after lots of training in the off season.
Are you surprised at how well you finished?
A little surprised but more fired up. After Japan I had two podiums, so it was
great representing America and GasGas and doing well. The rest of the season I
just tried to keep the good finishes coming and make a good season.
Tell us about the girls you travel with?
I have been staying in Norway again some this summer, continue there most the
fall, and then Spain again in the winter. I planned most my trips with Hanne Haga
and Erika Melchior (two of Norway’s best riders) to keep costs down and have
a support system at the events. My minders this year were also Norwegian top
riders who helped with their previous experience in European and World events.
We’ve all become so close living, training, and traveling together, Its such a good
feeling to have a “home away from home” and people to always count on when
I’m so far from my family.
What have you learned from riding with the European riders?
I have learned a lot, not even sure where to start. The Europeans are all in for
trials! I can watch so many great riders and I have great coaches, so I try to adapt
what I see and what I’m told to help my game.