Podcast - Andy Contes

This one has been a long time in the making. Big thanks to Brian Randolph at BioLab for making this one happen. The Andy Contes Podcast On this episode, Andy talks about the early days of his BMX career, from the Arizona teams he first rode for, to getting picked up by Free Agent, followed by Haro and GT, before eventually returning to Haro. We also talk about Andy winning almost straight off the bat, his battles with GT Factory superstar Shea Pierce, winning the IBMXF 1994 World Championships at Waterford Oaks, Michigan, and finishing second a year later in Columbia, along with his thoughts on that World Championships in 1995. Andy also talks about first getting on GT, battling the likes of Haro's Mike Brant, Powerlite's Mario Soto, and other top Ams on GT, Robinson, and Powerlite. He shares his thoughts on finishing second at the 1998 UCI World Championships in Australia behind Thomas Allier while still an Am, winning the 1998 ABA Amateur Title, turning pro, surviving a car crash with his GT teammates the day before racing at the 2000 World Championships in Argentina, attending graduate school while racing professionally, completing an internship at GT, and juggling both school and racing at the same time. Andy also reflects on winning a Pro Cruiser title, the challenges of balancing his career on and off the track with school and a full-time career, and returning to Haro for the final chapter of his professional career before retiring. We also talk about Andy getting back into racing, reconnecting with Jamie Leija at BioLab, and returning to the sport through his kids, who are now racing. Since coming back, Andy has already added two more World Championship titles to his incredible résumé. He also talks about his career at Intel, the Contes Gate, working with Toby Henderson, his future in BMX, being inducted into the Arizona BMX Hall of Fame, and so much more.