30
Rolling With It
Neil Furbee, the manager of Clayton’s BMX team,
Factory Rockstar/ Throdwn, has managed
Clayton for about a year. But he had heard
about Clayton for some three years before
that. In this sport, Furbee said, managers often
know all about up-and-coming riders.
“If he stays into this, I can see him being
picked to train for the Olympics,” Furbee
said. “He’s a very skillful rider and has
come a long way for his age. A lot of
kids his age don’t compare.”
As a 10-year-old, Clayton has
made it far in the BMX world.
When riders start out, they are
termed as “novice,” but after 10
as an intermediate, they get the “expert”
designation. The only level above expert
is pro. Riders can turn pro at age 16.
“If Clayton stays in it, he’ll easily move
to pro,” Furbee said, adding that Clayton
he competes in.
Furbee describes Clayton as respectful and
easy-going, with a genuine love for the sport
and a quiet determination to get better all the
time. He always displays good sportsmanship
and younger riders look up to him.
“Clayton is a really smooth rider,” Furbee said.
“He really knows how to get around the race
track the best way and the fastest way. And he’s
a good kid.”