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PROFILE RACING: Tom Russell joins the team

Big news for our mate Tom Russell, as he’s just been confirmed with a new sponsorship from none other than Profile Racing. It’s pretty obvious, at least to us, that with Tom’s riding style, Profile products are right up his street. So this must be like a dream sponsor for him.

We managed to have a chat with the man about this great news, shoot some photos of him ripping at Corby and get a closer look at all the new Profile parts he’s running.

Photos by Martin Grainger

Q&A with Tom Russell

– Hey Tom. So… You’re on Profile! How does that feel?

Feels amazing honestly! I’ve loved Profile since the day I started riding. It was always the thing to get, like the best of the best! Their attention to detail and build quality is amazing.

– How did this hook up come about?

Just going about, meeting new people, speaking to people I suppose! Haha, I don’t really know to be honest, I met Carlos at the Backyard Jam final for the first time and we spoke a little then, then like everything else you just send messages here and there over Instagram and we kinda just went from there.

360 back seat grab X… Clumsy name, banging trick.

– Was this in the works for a while? We may have heard some rumblings for a while before it was announced.

Yeah it has! Maybe like 2/3 months? We had to clear it with people first just to make sure there were no toes being stepped on or anything like that! Then everything was built in America and I had to wait for Profile Europe to make an order to Profile US so they just didn’t send my stuff out on its own which I was completely fine with anyway, I was going to suggest that!

– Which Profile gear are you running now?

Stem, cranks, biiiiig sprocket 😍 and a set of elites… Best hubs ever!

– What’s your fav new part on the bike and why?

Probably the hubs! Nothing can come close to the feeling of a set of Elites! Best hubs ever and that’s been my opinion for a few years now.

“I’ve got a few things I wanna get done for a welcome vid!”

– Are you going to be filming a welcome edit or anything like that?

I’m going to start an edit when I’m feeling better on the bike – I still don’t feel fully back from lockdown! But yeah I’ve got a few things I wanna get done for a vid!

– It seems like you’ve learned a bunch of new moves / combos this year… What’s feeling good at the moment?

Hahaha, I’m just re-learning loads of stuff I’ve done before 😂 I do love a combo though, and just a session where stuff feels ‘normal’ again are the best right now, some days I’ll not be as consistent as I used to and it’ll annoy me!

Anything to a late turndown or tabes always feels good too, almost feel cheeky for slipping one in last minute, haha!

Tom has a fresh set of Profile Elites, in his words, “Best hubs ever”

– What are your hopes for 2021?

Get back to feeling normal! I’ve never had time off since I started riding, still probably only feel like 60% back, real strange feeling… It’ll come, it’s just part of it!

I do miss Hastings and all the boys on the southern coast! Made so many good memories down there I’ll never forget. Got a van now too so no more sleeping in the drivers seat 🤣!

I can’t wait for contests too, like the Vans Pro Cup! I was looking forward to trying to get to most of them this year! Battle of Hastings is probably the highlight of the year too, that’s just the best weekend ever! I can’t wait for that, being able to see everyone from other countries!