Mud, Rock and Roots: In Conversation With Nina-Yves Cameron

Nina Yves-Cameron is a downhill racer from Fort William, Scotland. At 18 years-old, she has a number of UK podiums to her name and has already competed in the British Cycling Dirt Crit Races, the Highland Hardline series, Scottish and UK National downhill series, as well as well as making her debut in a number of rounds at the UCI World Series last year. Earlier this year, Nina starred alongside fellow downhill rider Katy Curd in a TV ad for highstreet bank Lloyds, riding alongside the iconic black horses that the brand is synonymous with.

During this year’s UCI Downhill World Championships, Beth Chalmers caught up with Nina to chat about the place where she learned to ride, how growing up in the Highlands has shaped her as a rider, and her final year of racing as a Junior before moving into Elites.

Where did it all begin for you with bikes?

I started biking in my home town, Fort William, in my back garden on a wee balance bike that my parents gave me at the age of three.

When I was around the age of six, I joined an after-school bike club run by parents from my primary school. Then a year or so later I joined the local bike club, the West Highland Wheelers, and started attending the kids club on a Saturday morning. From there, I gradually gained more confidence and skill. With thanks to some local legends who coached at the club, Steve Bradley and Alastair Maclennan, I was encouraged to start racing.

How have you been preparing for this year’s race season?

Lots of bike time over the off-season. I have been doing lots of physical training in the gym and our local Cross Fit gym with my trainer Rico Martin. I have also done a lot of mental preparation for a more positive mindset towards racing with Ciaran King at Peakin High Performance which has helped so much with my pre-race nerves and doubts and learning how to handle them positively.

You must have ridden the downhill track at Nevis Range so many times. Can you remember how it felt to do it for the first time?

Beyond excited and very scared on my little green Specialized Stumpjumper. Still can’t believe I rode it on that bike…

What’s the community like with the other racers? Do you have a laugh or is it strictly business?

The downhill community is awesome. Races are always good fun. Yes, there is the serious bit where you get in the zone during the warm-up and focus on the run, but we share thoughts, help with lines, support each other, and always have a bit of a laugh. This has been the same wherever I’ve ridden or raced.

It’s your last season racing as a junior. How are you feeling about racing Elites next year? What will change?

This season I’m feeling excited and nervous because I’d like to do well. Next year will be a huge step up into a much harder and very talented field of elite women. I am planning on training and riding a whole lot more during the next off-season to try and be able to race as best I can at elite level next year.

Tell us about your laps of the race track over the World Champs weekend? How have you found the track?

The track was so much fun! I really enjoyed how fast it now is. It’s a lot easier in terms of technical sections but the jumps are a lot bigger compared to what they were.

What’s the atmosphere like at Nevis Range? Does race day on home turf have a different feel?

Racing world champs literally on my doorstep is amazing and having friends and family there watching me is so nice. The atmosphere is buzzing and makes it all feel a bit surreal compared to other world cups I’ve raced.

What’s next for you?

I have three more world cups in Europe and a national race in the UK, but as my last World Champs as a junior, I am celebrating with family and friends on my two weeks off until I head out to Europe again!