Rob is the youngest of 3 brothers. Steve, the middle of the "Alton Boys", started riding BMX bikes when the craze started in the early eighties. After three years, however, Steve decided to hand-down his bike to Rob. The youngster quickly grasped the basics and soon grew to love his newly-found sport. By the age of 13 he was completely addicted; riding every day and learning new tricks all the time. After a year of committed progress, Rob considered himself good enough to compete. He joined the United Kingdom Bicycle Freestyle Association and was soon traveling the country to and from a variety of competitions. Rob left school and began work as an apprentice green keeper at Hadley Wood Golf Club in Potters Bar. Despite working from 7am - 4pm most days, he still found time to practice for at least 3 hours every day. "The Life & Times of One Man & his Bike!" It will come as no surprise to learn that Rob soon began to create his own style of riding - as well as a number of unique tricks. As time passed, Rob rose quickly to the top of his sport, qualifying for all the major competitions. In 1987 he competed in the BMX World Championships and only missed-out on the final by a single point! No matter; undeterred Rob continued to train hard and a year later his dedication began to pay dividends. At the 1988 World Championships Rob finished in second place. Rob's new style of riding had begun to make him stand out from the other riders. This style became his trade-mark and, by the end of 1988, he was winning almost every competition that he entered. He success in the arena was matched only by the attention he demanded in the world of BMX advertising. By the end of the year Rob would soon be sponsored by both Haro Bikes and Vision Street Wear. In 1989 the World Championships were held in Paris. There were over 40 riders from all over the world. True to form, however, Rob was determined to make this competition his own and, in typically dynamic fashion, he won the title of World BMX Flatland Champion "hands down". Rob Alton's star had finally risen! By the end of 1990 after competing on another hectic circuit, promoting Haro Bikes and Vision Street Wear, Rob made something of a surprising career move. By now, he had been working at the golf club for almost 4 years and was looking for a change of life. That change would come in the form of Gerry Cottle's Circus, which visited his home town in Potters Bar. Rob approached the circus owners and effectively demanded an audition. He was convinced that his BMX performance could and would be appreciated by a far wider audience. He was right! The circus owners were so impressed they offered him a contract there and then. In 1991 Rob became a performer with the internationally renowned "Continental Circus Berlin". It was the start of a remarkable relationship, throughout which both Rob and the circuses he worked with were to benefit. What's more, it is a relationship that continues to this day. Rob is now a seasoned performer, his career spanning over ten years and ten times as many venues. From circus to nightclub, theatre to gala, Rob has played them all and been back for more. Between engagements, he has managed to find time to meet his wife, Andrea Tomko, herself an experienced aerial artiste and graduate of the Hungarian State Circus School. The two were married in Budapest in 1998. Needless to say, their activities didn't stop there. Just 3 years later, on July 25th 2001, Andrea gave birth to Sophie-Maria. This latest addition to the newly formed Alton "trio" certainly has a lot to live up to. Then again, if she's only half as talented as her parents, her success as a performer is guaranteed.