Personal History

Graham originates from Kent - at the tender age of 17, he decided to leave home and move to Yorkshire to be in the midst of it all! He's never looked back since and he realised at an early age that if you want to succeed you have to train hard on the bike and in the gym everyday, also more importantly you need somebody behind you who wants to succeed like you, someone that can push you to your limits but not go over the top.

That somebody being Malcolm Rathmell, 6 times BC, SSDT winner, European Champion (Which is now equivalent to the World Championship as they compete in America) - not like the current European Championship. Back then they didn't have the World Championship until 1975. Malcolm has backed Graham since 1993, and has been working with Graham constantly at the European, British and World Championships.

Even though Malcolm has had to take a back seat due to the success of Sherco, Graham still consults him on every major decision, or general help and advice that he needs.

Grahams brother Barry, did start riding trials before Graham (and used to beat him) but Graham was the one to carry on with the help of his mum & dad, who ferried him around to all possible events.

Trials has been Graham's life since the day he rode his first trials bike. He used to take the long way round to school, and walk as slow as possible. On the way home he would run all the way just so he could play on his bike. He unfortunately didn't like school very much, only passing 1 GCSE in Geography (at least he can find his way around Europe).

In Winter Graham trains every day on the bike and in the gym. In season, when not at events, he still trains everyday. He goes training on the bike by himself in UK, goes to the gym by himself and works on his bike every night. This just shows how self motivated and disciplined Graham is.

A lot of the other World Class riders never train on their bikes by themselves, they always need to be pushed all the time. There are a few members in the team who always help with his gym programmed and then when he's in Europe he trains with his minder, Michel Renard, who is always happy to help Graham progress by giving him excellent advice on technique etc.

Throughout the year Graham holds training schools - either on a 1 to 1 basis or in groups whenever there is a gap in his schedule, he's always willing to help the youngsters for a small fee. Every January and August he gets the younger members of the MRS team together to coach them, to help them improve too.