Notes From A Really Small Island

It was quite a strange feeling inside as we flew across the Irish Sea to the fabled Isle of Man and the 2018 TT for practice week and the Superbike TT. Strange in so much as I had little idea of what to expect and what the three days on the island would have in store for me. As it turned out I witnessed the very best and the very worst of what those 37.73 miles of tarmac can offer; the ultimate highs, the ultimate lows and almost every emotion that resides in between.

This isn't going to be an all-consuming post about how the TT has changed my life because it hasn't - although I confess it has had a profound effect although I'm still processing why - nor will it be about how I now view every other other race series as inferior or less exciting, because I don't. Each series, whether it be MotoGP, World Superbikes or British Superbikes, retains it's own merits and levels of bravery and skill. I kept an open view on what I was to see, hear and experience on 'the rock'. I've been a fan of motorcycle racing for some forty years and seen every side of it, well, or so I thought...

Braddan Bridge, 30 May 2018 was the spot where I took my first view of the Isle of Man TT riders on circuit. I've followed the TT since the days of Joey Dunlop's 'V4 Victory' and ''The New Pretender' in Steve Hislop but I was wholly unprepared for the first-hand experience of being there. People will say there are 'better' places to watch than Braddan Bridge, however with a flight arrival time of late afternoon, it was the closest place to reach before the practice session got underway. 

One thing is absolutely for certain, anyone who's anyone who has been to the TT will take great delight in telling you the best places to watch from, and with around 200 corners and bends to choose from there is no clear winner of 'Best TT Spot to Watch From' 2018. With only 3 practice sessions and a race to witness, we were limited for opportunities but we gave it our best shot and Braddan was a good first spot to spectate from; a little churchyard fronting the road with a good view as the riders accelerate away up the rise.

The one thing that made the biggest impression on seeing the bike pass for the first time? Not the noise, as impressive as it was, or the speed, there are infinitely faster points to view from, no, it was the wind. The air displaced by 1000cc machines accelerating hard away from the bridge almost under the churchyard wall, kicking up leaves, dust and road detritus in their wake. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced at any circuit and nor will likely ever experience anywhere else. You FEEL the bikes as well as see and hear them. It's truly an assault on the senses.

With the first lap of practice underway, and just about managing to process just what the hell I was watching, the Red Flag was shown. At that point little did we know just what was unfolding a few miles further round the course. Information available in the circumstances proceeding any official announcement is scarce for very obvious reasons. You can look on Social Media and find possible names involved as sadly there will always be someone keen to be first with a name, or via the live timing as it becomes painfully clear that which rider hasn't reached a particular sector; it isn't hard to find out if you really want the information. All we knew as we headed up to the paddock was that there had been two separate incidents on circuit including a tree on fire at Churchtown, which the Fire Brigade were already heading to.

Arriving at the Paddock I greeted friends with a big smile, happy to finally get to see them in their alternate little world, which later I immediately regretted, feeling daft that I was unaware of the events at Churchtown. It became very clear something serious had happened on circuit. Awnings throughout the paddock were zipped down, conversations were held in hushed tones and the buzz I was expecting to feel on seeing our BSB friends disappeared with haste  

After a brief chat with a great friend it became all too apparent that a rider had lost his life. He didn't say directly that that was the case, you could see it across his face, neither did he say who was involved and I didn't ask, that's just not something you do. Later, after the official announcement had been made that Tyco BMW rider Dan Kneen had passed away, I received a text from the same friend. "This is the side we never talk about and you walked right in to the worst of it", he said with his apologies. My reply was as you'd expect, saying absolutely no apologies needed and passed our sincere condolences. His reply was profound and something that will remain with me, "we'll be ok tomorrow, we have to be, I have to send 'X' down Bray again so no choice". He was quite correct.

The paddock on Thursday morning was a hive of activity ahead of the evening practice session. A handful of flowers lay outside the Tyco BMW awning with the BMW S1000RR machines looking resplendent inside ahead of another night of laps around the incredible Mountain circuit. Watching the mechanics and team staff milling around the bikes it was as close to business as usual as possible in exactly the way my friend put it the night before, they have to be ok. Were they? Probably not, but they still had work to do for Michael Dunlop and Dan's memory.

One thing that hit home the hardest later that morning was as we passed the point of Dan's incident on a lap of the circuit by car. Flowers already lay in place as people were gathering to pay their respects to the fallen Manxman. It made it all very, very real.

Godspeed, Dan Kneen and Adam Lyon and also my very best wishes to Steve Mercer for a strong recovery.

Thursday evening was my first full taste of TT motorcycles at full chat as we watched from the churchyard at Sulby Crossroads. You hear them, you spot them in the distance, the noise builds and before you know it, they're gone. And there it is again... the wind, the leaves, the dust. Watching the machines rise and compress over the undulations of the road showed that even on the straights the riders have no rest whatsoever. Another wonder is machine reliability. How those motorcycle engines don't detonate with alarming regularity is beyond me, a testament to the manufacturers, teams and mechanics.

Walking the grid before Friday night practice showed me just how much camaraderie exists between the teams and riders. There are riders that will never get on, that's just human nature, however, taking the opportunity to observe the riders and their mechanics actions due to a delayed start it was clear that a healthy respect exists between the majority of the grid. And why not, after all these guys are united by a common desire; the desire to cover the 37.73 miles ahead of them in the slowest fastest time possible. Make sense? I thought so. While 'fast and safe' is a common pre-start wish to any rider, setting lap records must be secondary to coming home safely in the fastest time needed.

After the event I've tried to process just how I feel about the TT Races and the guys that ride there. As much as I half expected to be thrilled and excited, I wasn't surprised to feel almost the opposite. The human side of the TT is like nothing I've ever experienced in racing. Watching friends who are so focused in their work and so meticulous in their preparations of the bike, staring in to space unsuccessfully trying to calm their quite obvious nerves. I cannot begin to understand the pressure, emotion and nervous energy they feel as they push their man off down towards the start line. 

The looks and nods shared between rider and mechanic; the fist bumps, handshakes, hugs, leg or back pats that silently say 'bring her home'. It's a powerful ritual to witness, never more so than when a father hugs his racer son, looking him in the eye one last time before anxiously retiring to the tent to watch the timing screens, willing his boy to stay safe.

As for the circuit itself, I REALLY can't begin to understand just what it takes to circumnavigate those island roads at those speeds. I have the strongest of respect for anyone who takes on the challenge there, whether an experienced 130mph+ lap man or a newcomer chasing his first 120mph lap, they all deserve every respect just for having the determination and bravery to wind on the gas and ease the clutch out to launch down Glencrutchery Road. 

Whether Bray Hill, Black Dub, Kirk Micheal, Barregarrow, Rhencullen or up on the Mountain, wherever you choose to view from it's an overwhelming experience. I can't deny that it scares me. It really does. I take no embarrassment from that feeling and make no apologies for it. It's a raw and unforgiving place. We spectated at the Bungalow, the bottom of Bray Hill and Glen Vine for the Superbike TT and I'll take so many memories from all of those locations. I genuinely felt privileged to be there, not only to see the spectacle for myself but also to witness history as Dean Harrison set a new lap record from a standing start in the Superbike TT.

Courage. It's the word that keeps coming back to me to describe the essence of the TT. Every motorcycle racer everywhere has it, but at the TT it's tangible and abundant in everyone from racers to support crews to marshals and medics.

Will I go back? Of course. As soon as I possibly can. I want to return to support the friends who live and breathe this phenomenal event - that in modern terms would be a ridiculous notion - and once again witness the spectacle of man and machine versus time itself. 

Thanks to Chris and his team at Xpress Coffee for their hospitality and taxi services and to our friends on the island that made it so memorable for so many reasons.

Itsy Bisty Teenie Weenie Marquez Buggered Off, The Meanie

"Choose bikes. Choose MotoGP. Choose World Superbikes. Choose British Superbikes. Choose fucking speedway, choose Moto3, Moto2, World Supersport. Choose Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, or Brands Hatch. Choose camping in shit British weather. Choose a hotel down the road. Choose your paddock friends. Choose warm multi-layered clothing and a fancy cool box. Choose a massive caravan on hire purchase in a range of fucking colours. Choose no DIY and not wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning, waiting for Warm Up. Choose sitting on that banking watching watching endless Free Practice sessions just to get your bike fix, stuffing fucking picnic food into your mouth. Choose coming away on Sunday at the end of it all, all excited and happy as you head home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves as race fans. Choose your future. Choose bikes... But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose to choose bikes. I didn't choose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got bikes?"
by Dave Neal, aged 45 and a bit.

All the hype, all the social media arguments that STILL bubble on preceded what turned out to be the most boring MotoGP race of the season so far - yes, I know we're only three rounds in but still... Even the undoubted three place grid demotion for Marc Marquez couldn't really add the necessary excitement to proceedings such was his advantage around the red, white and blue-bedecked dust bowl just outside Austin. "Not-a-maniac-just-a caravan" Iannone had one big attempt to upset the rhythm of the pesky Spaniard in the opening lap but, yeah, unsurprisingly it didn't quite work. Credit to Iannone though, he's really stepped it up since the Lorenzo-to-Suzuki rumours began. Can't think why...

The 'Horsepower Rodeo' was little more than a glorified procession for the majestic Marc Marquez and his Repsol Honda around CotA, and really, was it ever in doubt?! Not really. 11 races unbeaten on American soil before Sunday, turning left really suits the mercurial Spaniard. Texas was a glimpse at how the start to the season could possibly have panned out but for the Ducati-favouring Qatar circuit and the shenanigans in Argentina. 

MotoGP in 2018 so far appears to have flattered to deceive; other rider's misfortunes have opened up the championship battle for early flyaway honours before the 'regular' part of the season kicks off at Jerez next time out. But really, who is going to stop Marquez other than Marc himself because, to be fair to the fella, he's doing his best to give the rest a bit of a chance with time and grid penalties in successive races! The reigning World Champion has the bit between his teeth, determined to dominate the title race and looking at his form over the last two races, it has been a shot across the bows for anyone with even half an eye on a championship challenge.

I know it's a long 19-race season and we're only three rounds in but let's be honest (this isn't a #93 love-in, by the way), while there have been glimpses shown by the chasing pack that they're not THAT far away - well, apart from Jorge Lorenzo obviously, he's frikkin' MILES away - is it enough? The Yamahas of both Rossi and Viñales seem to have finally exorcised the demons of 2017 with a welcome return to the podium over the weekend for the precocious talent of the #25. Mav was as exuberant as I've seen him in a long time after the race and it's he who I think will take the fight to #93 as the season unfolds, not discounting Rossi completely or title challenger of last year, Dovi, I just think that a happy Maverick Viñales is a very fast Maverick Viñales and who's due more MotoGP glory after the that epic start to 2017 turned in to utter tripe. I feel he will have the measure of his illustrious team mate at most rounds. I'm probably wrong but we'll see. 

The Great MotoGP Seat Swap is proving a real conundrum this season. After the relatively average silly season of last year the line up for 2019 is anyone's guess... well, apart from Movistar Yamaha, anyway! The second seat at Repsol Honda is the main focus for most learned observers (so, not me - at least the 'learned' bit anyway!) and with it being reported that Johann Zarco signed for for the Factory KTM squad for 2019/2020 at CotA, that's one less rider to fill any gap that may arise with the HRC squad. There is too much to go in to in this episode of my ramblings, the permutations are long and protracted but nevertheless really, really interesting but they're for another day.

Speaking of really, really interesting - World Superbikes was exactly that this weekend. From a scintillating Qualifying session to a hard-fought race one and a runaway winner (but not the one you'd expect!) in race two with a mighty battle raging behind him, it was another good weekend for the seemingly rejuvenated series. A glorious first Pole Position for Alex Lowes to then becoming the unluckiest man in Holland (after poor Werner from Weisbaden who got his weiner wedged in his zip while window shopping in the 'Dam). It was a bitter pill to swallow for my fellow Yellowbelly (a what?! This...) but he'll bounce back. Just as in MotoGP, the Yamahas are really coming strong in WorldSBK - gotta call it that, they get a bit sniffy if you call it WSB) partly in thanks to the rule changes but I suspect mainly to the revised electronics package on the R1. One conundrum though, Tom Sykes can lead a race from the front in imperious style but appears to struggle when it's time to battle? Good to see a different Kawasaki on the top step, however briefly it'll be!

The Bennett's British Superbike Championship - it still feels strange calling it that - continued it's rich vein of form at Brands Hatch a week or so ago. Shakey Byrne was really, really happy and Leon Haslam equally so as they took the spoils around the Indy circuit as tyre issues once again became a real bugbear for some, despite measures being introduced to retain a level playing field in terms of black round rubber. Hopefully the issues will be solved before Oulton Park in a couple of weeks time (there's an official test there on Thursday) and that the weather can be either one thing or the other in that leafy, affluent corner of Cheshire. Bright and sunny preferably! Even as a proud Lincolnshireman, Oulton Park is an equal favourite circuit of mine next to our own Cadwell Park and all I ask for is a dry, warmish (I burn easily; Snetterton seems to prove that every chuffing year!) weekend for some mega racing in every class as the series heads towards the Roads break.

Thanks for reading.

Back To The Future, It Seems...

Here I am! Back once again like some renegade master. (Google it, if you're not sure). 

And while we're on a musical theme, to quote DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince after Sunday evening, 'Here We Go Again'!

I won't delve deeply into the shenanigans of last Sunday as the more qualified luminaries of the MotoGP Press Room have covered them far more eloquently and with better knowledge here, here, here and here (courtesy of Neil Morrison, David Emmett, Manuel Pecino and Mat Oxley). Four exceptional pieces of writing, all united in their voices about arguably the most exciting and interesting MotoGP race in a number of seasons.

The biggest disappointment about last Sunday for me was the fact that the divisions set in 2015 and the weakly engineered patch-up of relations over the passage of time since have been widened exponentially by one errant 'pass' and subsequent actions from pit box to press scrum. The whys and wherefores from a racing and paddock perspective have been well covered by the links above, however it's the cursed platform of Social Media, that ever-growing harbor of the perpetually offended and occasional hard of thinking, that once again holds court to those spouting vitriol and responding with derision to those who offer a different opinion. Back to 2015 we go and the mildly dwindling catcalling and booing will now continue with renewed vigour. Also, I'd expect the 'ambient' microphones to be turned down in Texas should Marquez stand on the podium at CotA...can't have the watching masses hear that, now can we?

The not-so-small matter of a British winner and that same Briton now leading the MotoGP Standings, somewhat lost in the fire, fury and fallout because of the wayward actions of others. Bit disappointing, really.

Neither rider has apologised and I suspect neither rider will. No doubt Marc Marquez was over-aggressive when he didn't need to be and was completely at fault, however the contact wasn't deliberate. Valentino Rossi's comments post-race however were unnecessary, inflammatory and absolutely deliberate in their delivery. Rossi is a master of the mental game but Marquez is in his head and any opportunity that presents itself to discredit the Spaniard he'll take with both hands and quite possibly to the detriment of the sport unless the powers that be intervene behind closed doors and not with a bullshit staged-managed PR-friendly handshake that neither rider is remotely interested in. The CotA Press Conference will certainly be interesting and undoubtedly with a better attendance than the Argentinian post-race version!

On a more positive outlook, I'm reliably informed Jorge Lorenzo did finish the race. Bless...

The Bennett's British Superbike Championship reconvenes this weekend for Round 2 around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. The opening races at a sodden, cold and thoughtfully revamped Donington Park brought a fresh new look to the title race in the form of the gangly, bespectacled Brad Ray. The Buildbase Suzuki man took a double win ahead of a strong, predominantly fully fit field over Easter Weekend, brilliantly carving his name in to the list of title contenders for 2018 with all the style and maturity of a seasoned pro.

While pre-season favourites Leon Haslam, Josh Brookes and Shane 'really, really' Byrne (just a bit of fun, listen to his interviews) had their issues over the weekend, it was BSB's own member of the Hair Bear Bunch that made those brave souls who risked hypothermia while entrenched under the approach path of East Midlands Airport sit up and take notice of his intentions for this season - wait, that's an unfair statement, UK race fans are, in the main, anoraks of the finest order and were already acutely aware of the talents of Kent's latest BSB race winner. Can he sustain it? No idea! It's a long season and only two races old but with a small matter of 10 podium credits already in the bag for September, there's no doubt he's made a perfect start.

Make no mistake, Byrne, Haslam, Brookes, Ellison et al will soon find their stride despite the next round being on such a unique circuit. Luke Mossey took the double there last season and will be chomping at the bit to repeat that feat while fending off the marauding pack. The Yamaha R1 works around the Indy layout, James Ellison proved that by taking pole position last year so you can count him and Josh Brookes and with a reported new swing arm for Shakey Byrne's Ducati Panigale, it won't be any surprise to see him really, really pushing for his first win of 2018 (see what I did there?). Throw in both the strong-starting Honda riders along with Ray's team-mate Cooper, a former podium man around there, the Tyco BMWs, Glenn Irwin and an ever-determined Peter Hickman, to name but a few, and we have a Battle Royale on our hands! Just let it be dry. On track, at least! 

The Rambings of a Bike Racing Fan

I've no idea why I only seem to sit and do this once or maybe twice a year, it's not like I don't have the time these days. I'm regularly encouraged to put finger to keyboard but the motivation to do so has been lacking after an at times turbulent last 12 months on a personal level. Those turbulent times affected many things, including my love of racing, however for 2018 things are looking better and brighter on all fronts! So it's back to basics, tapping on a keyboard to make words that a few will read. I hope you enjoy it.

The 'Big 3' of British Superbikes, World Superbikes and MotoGP all reconvene over the next six weeks or so and at least one of those series has the potential to be the very best season in a number of years, which after the excitement of  recent years, is going to be some achievement. The other two series, or more to the point certain teams within them, have their own hurdles to jump before we see the absolute cut and thrust of racing return along with all the regulation celebratory pomp and back-slapping. Or is that stabbing? Who knows, it's motorcycle racing so there's always liberal doses of both in almost equal measure.

While WorldSBK undergoes changes in its rules with regards to rev limits, the teams are doing all they can to try and close the gap to the pretty much all conquering KRT squad. The first real look at the riders and teams at the recent test was the first time we've seen all WorldSBK protagonists on track together and there are no surprises on seeing who was fastest. Triple and reigning WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea topped the timesheets at the end of the final pre-season test at Phillip Island ahead of this weekend's season opener at the Gateway to Hypothermia, once again asserting his dominance on the field.

As I'll touch on later (I may be here for a while...) testing is testing, it's hard to gauge the true pace of man and machine and no matter how many race simulations they do, you can't replicate racing without, well, racing! Every year the unique nature of Phillip Island provides close testing times and sometimes even closer racing so it's tough to get a true perspective on the strengths of the teams battling Kawasaki for honours this year. There are the obvious ones, namely Ducati and Yamaha, that will constantly push for podiums and race wins however it's the ones who have not shown their full potential in recent seasons that may make the biggest progress. Milwaukee Aprilia finished the Test in positive form as did Barni Ducati while wholesale changes at Red Bull Honda saw visible progress in to the top ten. With the uniqueness of PI and the challenges of Buriram and the damage limitation required at both, I suspect it won't be until the circus reaches Europe that the true story of WorldSBK 2018 will unfold.

MotoGP testing has been in full swing these last four weeks with a sack-load of stories winding their way out of both Sepang and the Chang circuit at Buriram, Thailand. For almost every Factory  team Sepang, as is the law these days, was the first chance to get to grips with the 2018 machinery with their full-time riders after the final tests of last year and it was the contrast of Factory fortunes that really made the bulk of the headlines. Tip of the hat to the new boys of Morbidelli, Luthi, Syahrin and Nakagaami, who all made solid progress throughout testing.

Honda, Yamaha and Ducati were the main focus of attention as you'd expect and the fortunes could not have been more different. The HRC Holy Trinity of Marquez, Pedrosa and Crutchlow looked to have the consistency over the six days of Far East testing as they looked to refine the latest incarnation of HRC engine along with revised aero packages, that subject explored by pretty much everyone and with varying degrees of aesthetic pleasure.

Marquez wasn't always the fastest of the trio, that honour was shared between the triumvirate, however his race runs were somewhat ominous. This developing, maturing-thinking Marc Marquez will be a concern for the rest of the field, no longer a pure Pole hound, no longer a man chasing the fastest time, he's a man working in the same way we saw last season. Points per round is the target.  And points make prizes.

Yamaha are in trouble. There are no two ways about it. As I said before, testing is testing however there are glaringly obvious issues when a Factory team of Yamaha's standing are so far off the pace on Day 1 and Day 3 at Sepang but 1 and 2 on Day 2. Confused? So are Vinales and Rossi! According to Rossi in Buriram the problem is obvious but difficult to fix whereas after Buriram Vinales was almost at a loss as to what to say to the waiting Journos. It may well be a difficult start to 2018 for Movistar Yamaha, the only positive in the early rounds being a contract extension for the grid's fluorescent yellow-clad elder statesman. Which will keep a few bums on seats in the stands for another season, at least.

At Ducati things are also not as they may have appeared to be after the Buriram test. A stunning lap of Sepang on the final day saw Jorge Lorenzo take the fastest ever lap of the Malaysian circuit. It was a  suitable end to the test after both he and team-mate Andrea Dovizioso had, apart from an 8th position on Day 2 for the Italian, consistently run well inside the top 5 over the three sweltering days. If Sepang was a triumph then Chang was a tragedy for the Mallorcan, even out-paced on the final day by Tech3 new boy Hafizh Syahrin. Dovi fared somewhat better, the story of last season all over again, by posting top ten times on all three days of the test. With just the Qatar test to go before it all gets serious, there are some searching questions that need answering amongst the MotoGP elite.

The Bennett's British Superbike Championship is building up to the start of the season with various teams cutting laps around the circuits of Spain where many are gearing up for the Pro-test at Cartagena at the beginning of March ahead of the annual Test Day at Donington Park on 20th March. So far as comparisons in times go, there aren't any apart from Honda and JG Speedfit Kawasaki who attended a WSB Test at Jerez.

So what do we know ahead of the 2018 Season? The usual suspects will all be a force, that's a given. Reigning champ Shane Byrne along with Josh Brookes and Leon Haslam will be strong from the first lights-out, there's not a doubt about that. The Honda duo of O'Halloran and Linfoot finished the season on the front foot and they'll be looking to continue that trend from Round 1 after the difficult start to 2017. The Tyco BMW duo of Christian Iddon and a returning Michael Laverty will have a firm eye on podium positions as will Luke Mossey and Glenn Irwin. James Ellison, in what will be his final year in BSB, will be as keen as ever to put a strong, consistent season together aboard the Anvil TAG Yamaha vacated by Josh Brookes as he in turn takes the McAMS seat from Ellison.

Youth will play a big part in the series this year. Expect to see BSB race winner Jake Dixon to carry on his form of last year on the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki and Brad Ray to make his mark fully on the top ten on the Buildbase Suzuki alongside Richard Cooper after his impressive showings last season. Alongside Brookes will be former British Supersport Champion Tarran Mackenzie, returning from a torrid time in Moto2, who I suspect will challenge for top ten honours before mid-season, lining up on the grid alongside his Moto Rapido Ducati-mounted brother Taylor. Team WD-40 have put their faith in their STK1000 rider of last year, Mason Law and the youth emphasis continues with Kyle Ryde joining the ranks from WSS along with Northern Irishman Carl Phillips who steps up from STK1000.

After plying his trade on the European and World stage, Gino Rea will make his BSB debut this year aboard the OMG Racing Suzuki as will Sylvain Barrier, the twice European STK1000 Champion joins the multifaceted Peter Hickman at Smith's BMW. FS-3 Kawasaki have signed STK1000 Champion Danny Buchan for 2018, after two previous attempts it could be third time lucky for Buchan to get to grips with a Superbike and finally transfer that obvious talent to the big class and Tommy Bridewell returns to the bosom of Martin Halsall and the team which brought the Wiltshire rider much of his BSB success.

I suspect the top six places of the Showdown will be the most hotly contested (good English? Not sure) positions since the format's inception back in 2010. Byrne & Irwin, Brookes, Haslam & Mossey, O'Halloran & Linfoot, Hickman, Iddon & Laverty, Ellison, Dixon and Brad Ray all stood on the podium in 2017 and quite possibly will all do so again across the forthcoming season. If a Rookie can score a Top Ten this year he'll certainly have earned it as the competition for points is stronger than I can ever remember. As for who will win it, I'm not brave enough to predict, however, on last season's form alone it's difficult to see past a Haslam/Brookes/Byrne title fight once again come October. There are a lot of laps and a lot of stories to unfold before then and as Larry Carter regularly reminds us, we should expect the unexpected once again.

In true Motopod style, this could be "the best season ever", well in BSB, at least.

Thanks for reading.

Is This The Best British Superbike Season, Ever?

Well, that's a pretty bold question, and what factors really define 'best ever'? Either way, do read on...

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is arguably in its richest vein of form for a number of years. Ten different race winners and all five manufacturers taking not only podiums but also, more importantly, race wins across the season along with some of the closest racing and tightest finishes in any series. The public outcry on social media for fast, young talent is also showing well as Kent boys Jake Dixon and Bradley Ray along with Cadwell Park lap-record holder Lee Jackson show that the talent is definitely out there. The results also show that the BSB Regulations, however difficult to implement for each of those race-winning manufacturers, are working. But make no mistake, it's been a tough road for the majority of those teams. Like Coldplay sang, nobody said it was easy...

Photo: BSB Website/Double Red

Every team has had its difficult times this season, some more than others as keen followers of the sport have witnessed. With two brand new motorcycles joining the fray in 2017, in the Honda Fireblade and the Suzuki GSX-R 1000, it's been down to Honda Racing and Bennett's Suzuki to hone these much-lauded machines to BSB own unique style.

The bulk of the initial development of these racing motorcycles is done invariably with the manufacturer's own native electronics; ECUs that are loaded with rider aids, sensors and all sorts of goodies designed to encourage the bike to behave as well as making the undoubted power work in the best way possible. Take those ECUs away and replace them with control MoTec units and it opens up a whole new world of hurdles to clear. The Panigale has had problems; the BMW had problems, as did the Yamaha so race bike development is nothing new in BSB, it's down to how soon and how well teams can overcome those electronic hurdles and using the Pirelli control tyres, not Bridgestone, Michelin or Dunlop or whatever rubber the manufacturers preferred. It ALL makes a difference.

We all remember 2011. That incredible battle between Tommy Hill and John Hopkins and the unified, excitable tones of Jack Burnicle and James Whitham on commentary, "HILL...BY SIX THOUSANDTHS OF A SECOND!!" (no, I didn't look that up and yes, it still gives me goosebumps!). It was, for me, the pinnacle season of BSB to which all other seasons will be measured. We've come close since, when Alex Lowes and Samsung Honda took the title by just 7 points in 2013 but more recent years have promised so much and, for various reasons, not quite delivered. I have a feeling that this year will be different...

Photo: BSB Website/Double Red

This season's run-in to the final round has been nothing short of fascinating. Not since that 2013 season when James Ellison arrived at Brands Hatch 42 points adrift of Byrne and Lowes have we had three riders in with a realistic chance of taking the coveted crown . Sure, the points gap has been closer in both 2014 and 2016, but there hasn't been a third rider with more than just a mathematical chance of taking the title in either of those years. This year Haslam leads Brookes and Byrne by just 32 and 33 points respectively, and with 75 points up for grabs in Kent, it really is all to play for.

Byrne and his Be Wiser Ducati took the double at Brands Hatch back in July. Leon Haslam was third and fifth while Brookes took fifth in race one but a rare DNF in race two dented his consistency, consoled only with a new lap record around what is often referred to as "Shakey's Back Yard". There is no doubt that Byrne will be going to Brands with the express purpose of winning all three races, that's clear a no-brainer, he has to, as will Haslam and Brookes! Haslam has only finished ahead of Byrne once in 7 races around the full GP circuit, by less than 0.1 seconds in race two last October in mixed conditions, so he's got his work cut out to keep that points gap. Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha man Brookes won't give up either as the July round showed, he had the pace to run with the leaders and it's also a track he's had some strong results on.

Photo: BSB Website/Double Red

Don't get me wrong, it's not ALL about those three. Yes, in terms of the championship it pretty much is (sorry, Jake Dixon), but for the races it's anything but cut and dried. If the weather stays dry (there are fingers crossed across the land for that!) it's hard to see past Byrne on recent form around Brands Hatch. That said, his results since the summer round have shown that there are clearly still some issues plaguing the Ducati Panigale with no wins registered since his back to back doubles in July. Byrne's form is currently the weakest of the three, picking up 92 points since the last visit to Brands Hatch, while Brookes has out-scored Haslam and his JG Speedfit Kawasaki 141 to 136 over the same period.

Added in to the podium mix, I expect a battling RAF & Reserves Kawasaki man Jake Dixon to want to regain the form he showed mid-season, it's also his home round along with Buildbase Suzuki's Brad Ray, so he'll have added reasons to perform. Smith's BMW man Peter Hickman will be looking to finish his already successful season on a high as will McAMS Yamaha's James Ellison, who makes no secret of his love for the longer GP circuit. Honda Racing's Dan Linfoot and Jason O'Halloran, Moto Rapido's John Hopkins and maybe even Sylvain Guintoli, subject to the trees and armco not being too close, and his ever-developing Bennett's Suzuki are all podium contenders and will all want their say in finishing the season on a strong performance. It's only then that, all of a sudden, it becomes even less of a certainty as to who'll take the flag in all three races and ultimately the biggest prize in domestic racing.

Bring on the finale!

Four Years Since The Last One!

23rd November 2012 was the last time I posted on this blog, dear reader (hi, mum!). I don't even know if people actually even do this anymore? Who knows... I enjoyed it previously and I've missed it, so lets see if I can get it started again and if anyone cares to read it.

Times have changed over the last four years, although not if you're Valentino Rossi or Shane Byrne who, both being much closer to 40 years old than either would like, are still riding at the top of their game. We've had a British Grand Prix World Champion with Danny Kent in Moto3, despite trying his best NOT to win it as the season drew to a breathtaking close at Valencia last year; we've had Sam Lowes win the World Supersport crown and both Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes taking the World Superbike spoils then more recently all topped off with the first British winner of a MotoGP race for 35 years as the inimitable Cal Crutchlow took victory in Brno. Decent success among the British ranks, I'm sure you'll agree.

British MotoGP Post-race Press Conference

We've also seen the ugly side of the sport in the clusterfuck that was Sepang 2015 and the ridiculous fallout that still rumbles on almost a full 12 months later between the riders and also sections of fans. We've seen the emergence of the phenomenal talent that is Marc Marquez, who's debut was covered in the very last post before the prolonged hiatus came and is now on the verge of a third MotoGP World title as the circus moves to the flyaway rounds in a couple of weeks time. Speaking of talent, not only have we seen the emergence of Marquez but also on a similar trajectory is Maverick Vinales, a talent worthy of MotoGP and one that may well take the battle to Marquez in 2017. Just Maverick to take the battle on? Well, no. Not quite, obviously.

Rossi will be another year older, Pedrosa I suspect still wont be heavy enough to make the Michelin tyres work consistently for him and Lorenzo is making the hop to Ducati for 2017, that change may well take time to adapt to and I'd suggest possibly more time than Maverick Vinales will require to get comfortable on the Yamaha M1 he'll ride for the first time in the post-season Valencia test as he moves from Suzuki. True, the spec electronics should have also improved for 2017 (it really needs to, especially on anti-wheelie with the outlawing of Winglets!) as, slightly less hopefully, will the Michelin tyres. Those black and round things have been more than a big contribution to the number of different race winners we've had this season and racing is all the better for it because, as good as it is watching the same same rider win week in and weeeeeeee...... sorry, almost nodded off at the very thought..., it really has been a fantastic MotoGP season so far and one that may well still hold the odd twist and turn before we reach Valencia in November.

Closer to home, the British Championship appears to have changed the least in that time. It still provides the thrill and excitement the fans crave and the Showdown still remains, as I suspect it always will, in the name of Sports Entertainment. I did wonder if the Showdown had run it's course as BSB made the playing field somewhat level with stringent Tech Regs introduced but the dominant form of Shane Byrne and his, according to some, 'it isn't in the spirit of the rules' factory-supported Ducati Panigale, this season would have almost made a cakewalk of a championship had it not been for the close attention of the returning Leon Haslam aboard a GBmoto Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

Proud times in 2014 with Jordan Weaving

As for the best of the rest, Honda have made an incredible effort again this year with Linfoot and O'Halloran while Ellison has been at the sharp end for the majority of the season along with Bridewell and the talented Luke Mossey but none offering the pace and consistency enough to challenge the two title favourites for wins week in, week out. Crucially, Byrne leads Haslam 4 to 1 in the podium head to heads they've had when finishing 1st and 2nd, and that could be a
critical factor as the season heads to it's crescendo at Brands Hatch in mid-October. For the record, Byrne won both races there in early August, with Leon second each time. But before that, however, there's Assen...

On a personal level it's been a quite incredible four years. From here to PaddockChatter to interviewing racing Legends, World Champions and British Champions for MotoPod to witnessing two domestic Championship campaigns first hand to making some of the finest friends, it's been incredible at times. Incredible that nobody actually sussed me out as merely winging it, at least! It all stemmed from this humble blog, the encouragement of Jared Earle and Ian Wheeler and not being a dick on Twitter. Where next? Who knows. Is there a 'next'? Again, who knows. Back to basics for now and then we'll just have to wait and see however it won't be four years until the next post here, that's for sure.

Thanks for reading.

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013! Testing Times Ahead...

Soon comes around doesn't it? The 2012 season has drawn to a close, all the bikes are off to Shows around the world, riders are all on holiday or rallying or whatever they choose to do and Alex Briggs has hung his pass on the back of the door with the other 19 he's collected... THAT'S when I know it's all over...It was a season that, in places, lacked excitement and few meaningful on-track battles at the front, with Brno and Silverstone the notable exceptions in a difficult season.

Things at Valencia for the final GP could've been so different in the MotoGP class and really they should have been but for two episodes of misfortune, Jorge at Assen and Dani at Misano which in turn would maybe have lead to a different podium at Phillip Island at the penultimate round, where win or bust for Pedrosa was the order of the day.

It was Lorenzos early season form that helped him secure the title, every season is a marathon not a sprint but in 2012 it was Yamaha who got the head start in to that marathon while HRC were still tying their laces. Yamaha were hurting from losing their crown to Casey Stoner at the end of 2011 and came out swinging, Honda had made errors with the new bike that both riders were critical of, although I guess one of the riders was just moaning for no reason... However the Yamaha looked to be on rails and the  metronomic rhythm and blistering pace of Lorenzo was no match for his biggest rivals and the season looked to be a foregone conclusion as far in to the championship as Silverstone.

But Honda fixed the RCV213V a little and the tide turned...

Dani Pedrosa found some self-belief, a consistent but somewhat lack-lustre start to the season saw the diddy Spaniard consistently finish top four and remain fully fit. His first victory of the season at the German GP at Sachsenring saw the beginning of a sequence that, had Honda produced THAT bike for Qatar would have seen a whole different light shed on the 2012 season.

Sachsenring was almost the beginning of the end of Casey Stoners title charge, a fighting second at Silverstone followed by a win at Assen showed he had the desire to defend his crown, even though at that point he was all for retirement from the sport, a distant eighth at Mugello made many ask questions of Caseys commitment before a dominant win at Laguna (the race noted for its ONE pass) saw a brief upturn in fortune but then came Indianapolis qualifying, and we all know what happened there...

Caseys injury at Indy saw a fire lit under Pedrosa, after spending the whole of 2011 in the dark shadow of his imperious team-mate, he looked a different rider. While Stoner struggled round the Brickyard (struggled as in finished fourth, 30 secs ahead of Valentino Rossi) with an injury that curtailed his season, Dani, in true Spanish style, took the bull by the horns (you see what I did there? Always thinking...) and embarked on a remarkable string of results which Lorenzo had no answer to, regardless of how hard he tried. You could sense the tension in the Yamaha camp as Dani was on a run of form that matched Lorenzo's early season stats, at Phillip Island though the story was to end prematurely.

I know that every season can be looked at in hindsight with ifs, buts and maybes but really, IF after qualifying on pole for the San Marino GP at Misano, the chain of events that followed hadn't happened therefore making Dani over-ride too early at Phillip Island and IF Jorge hadn't have been skittled by Bautista at Assen or dropped it at Valencia...well  the championship would have looked the same...

Jorge was going to win at Assen, of that I have no doubt. Dani was going to win at Misano, again of that I have no doubt - such is the season we've just had - so taking that in to account, with the Phillip Island result staying as per qualifying leaving Dani in third, which was also more than likely and Jorge staying on to finish second at Valencia, then Dani Pedrosa still would not have been 2012 World Champion. Jorge would have still taken the crown 390 to 369. Even though both riders shared an outstanding run of results, it was Pedrosa's early season form over the first six races with three 3rds and a 4th that ultimately cost him the title compared to Lorenzo's staggering 1st/2nd consistency throughout the year.

But, back to reality, as it was Dani had to ride hard, fast and early at Phillip Island to stand any chance of clawing the defecit back on Jorge, and in Stoners back yard it was, ironically, the tallest of orders for the shortest of riders... On that day nobody, and I mean N.O.B.O.D.Y, was going to beat Stoner on his final appearance in front of his adoring crowd and it was the simplest mistake that handed Jorge Lorenzo his second world crown. A crown won the hard way, from the front and without the 'ah, but' stigma of injury to his closest contenders.

Dani was back to dominant form at Valencia where interference from Mother Nature saw the most exciting race of the season unfold. Starting from Pit Lane after a last minute tyre change saw Dani chase down race leader Lorenzo and win from the very back of the pack. Sadly an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration saw Jorge end the season in the gravel, and with it the chance of taking the record for most podium appearances in a season, after a mis-guided attempt to pass James Ellison, who rode a fantastic last race to finish a deserved ninth. Shock of the day was a CRT machine leading for two laps, a mix of youthful exuberance and nationalistic pride helping Aleix Espagaro to his short burst in the limelight before normal service was resumed.

Maybe Dani felt a little karma at this point after his Phillip Island off, over-excitement putting paid to a points haul there and the same for Lorenzo at Valencia. Either way it didn't prevent him from hammering home his seventh win of the season and taking the 'prize' of Most Wins in 2012. He'll carry that forward in to 2013, whereas Jorge showed us that he still has, albeit deep-rooted, that impetuousness that flared so often in the junior classes with his haste to get around James Ellison but his consistency is nothing short of phenomenal, and if Dani starts '13 the way he ended '12, then it's going to be an amazing season.

Testing for 2013 was held in difficult conditions over the Tuesday and Wednesday  following the  GP with Valentino Rossi's long-awaited return to Yamaha the focal point of most peoples attention. The keener eyes of the paddock were waiting for the young pretender to take his place at the top table. Enter Marc Marquez....erm...but not until the Thursday and, sadly by that point, Yamaha had de-camped to Aragon.

This is the point where my limited vocabulary runs out of superlatives, his performance in testing was nothing short of spectacular. Whereas rookies before him had had two full days and a 100+ laps to get within 2 seconds of the fastest time of the test Marquez required half a day, 28 laps in total, to get to within 1 second of Dani Pedrosa's best time. I said it last time, this kid is special, very special. He may well visit the Clinica Mobile on a regular basis as he searches for the limit on a 1000cc Prototype, just as Jorge did in his maiden season on the 800. But believe me, he's going to win races next season. Dani, Jorge, Marc, Cal, Stefan all fighting it out to be on that podium...oh and Valentino too. Bring on Sepang!

David Emmett at Motomatters.com sums the testing and rookie debut up far better than I right here and if you haven't already, then read it - it's an education in to the future of MotoGP and that future IS Marc Marquez.

Final word, as I said earlier, goes to @guyhanderson 'What if...'

Casey Stoner retiring at the age of 27 is nothing if not remarkable.  And he neatly steps away from the circus as a two-time world champion to enjoy fishing and his marriage and daughter as well as some V8 car racing it seems.  It must take a lot of determination to get to the top and even more to walk away from it all when riding the crest of the biggest wave in bike racing.  Its almost been universally accepted in the racing circus that Stoner has done what a lot wish they could do; that is separate the mind-blowing act of racing from reality.  Its not that important to Stoner; it might be to armchair experts and 99% of the other riders, but to him?  “Pfft…!” as he might say.

But what if he hadn’t?  What if he had stayed at Honda next year? He was possibly the number 1 in the team as the reigning World Champion at the time of joining and recognised by all as being the fastest on the RCV213, although Pedrosa’s transformation into a tougher, faster rider this year has been not much short of brilliant.

Stoner staying would have caused HRC a mighty headache.  Remember the 3 man team last year with Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso?  As rich as Honda are they only wanted a 2-man team, and only ran a three man team because Dovizioso (foolishly?) exercised his rights in his contract that said if he was third the season before he would be retained.  But Stoner left Ducati and Honda wanted him. 

So to 2012 and there was one thing that was 100% cast-iron certain; Honda wanted to keep Marquez in the family.  Marquez is Spanish, but don’t read too much into that – they’d have wanted him if he had been British and that fast!  Repsol have no problem with Marquez, after all he’s already riding a bike sponsored by them; a perfect marketing tool for Repsol and the other sponsors.  There was no way Honda were going to let him go to Yamaha.  Can you imagine Lorenzo and Marquez in a team together?  What a prospect; the current World Champion and almost certainly a future WC.  Now Rossi is good and alongside Lorenzo, Yamaha have a great team, but Lorenzo and Marquez? Phew.  Anyway dream on; its not happened - yet. You almost get the feeling Honda paid Yamaha to take Rossi, so they couldn’t have Marquez.  Don’t ya?

So if Stoner hadn’t have announced his retirement; Stoner, Pedrosa and Marquez in one team?  I think not.  Marquez to LCR to replace Bradl who is rookie of the season would have been a tough call.  So I guess Marquez to Gresini might have been the only way, but those guys are the only team to run Showa suspenders still.  The rest of Honda went to Ohlïns (after Yamaha sold them) because basically they make better suspenders.  And as you can tell everybody wants Ohlins.  I guess there could have been some technical and political manoeuvring to give Marquez a full-on full-fat factory bike at Gresini, and he may have brought some headline sponsors with him, but at the same time I doubt Repsol would have been happy.  Or Pedrosa out of Honda and off to Yamaha with Alberto Puig?  Blimey – now there’s a salivating thought!  Puig is pretty much a Honda man, and I doubt he’d hold the same sway at Yamaha as he does at Honda.  Alternatively, Pedrosa to Ducati, but Dani is much shrewder than that – he’s seen the metaphorical car crash that has been happening at Ducati for the past 2 years.  Personally I would have liked to have seen Pedrosa at Yamaha, but you have to admire his loyalty staying at Honda ever since he stepped up to the main class, despite all the speculation. 

At the end of the day, as much as Casey Stoner retiring might be a big disappointment to 99.9% of race fans, it sure as hell helped sort out the remaining riders’ team places.

Takes a special kind of talent to get 'pfft...!' in to a piece doesn't it...

Thanks for reading.