So, I’ve literally just come back from a solo 105km cycle ride. I do a lot of cycling to try and keep my weight down and obviously keep fit. After I broke my leg, I struggle with running so I’ve had to concentrate on cycling and it’s one of the biggest parts of my training. I still want to be in good, lightweight racing shape, but the weight is a little less important in superbikes than it was in MotoGP. I’ve weighed in heavier this year, but I feel a lot stronger for it and seem to be faster! I think you need a little more power and strength in BSB. More riders struggle with arm-pump and the physical side of things, which I feel a little bit as well. Anyways, on to Knockhill then. Some people have been saying I couldn’t wish for more, but I could have done the double! I had a shit qualifying, but that wet session was very good for me. I worked out how the bike behaves, how the tyres work and I needed that session to bring more confidence. Despite the poor qualifying, I started next to my teammate and a few other guys who are battling for the championship, and just bit down on the gum shield and let her have it. I picked them off one by one and was thinking a top five would be lovely, but I had quite a fast pace and wanted to take advantage of this for my podium credits. I knew I had the pace to beat Danny (Buchan) in the second race, especially after I followed him and learnt a few tricks of the track. I also knew I was stronger than him in half of the track, and he was pushing quite hard when he crashed.it small, don’t get me wrong, but if it had another 30 seconds on the lap time, it’d be one of the best tracks on the calendar in my opinion. I raced minimotos in Scotland years ago, so this wasn’t my first time in the country, but the fans were amazing – even when we had shit weather, they were still lining the track and they cheered hard for me throughout the weekend. I left Knockhill thinking I’d be racing at Donington Park WorldSBK as a wild card. Everything was ready to go on a full-factory Panigale V4R in WorldSBK trim, but it all fell through at the last minute for one reason or another. I wanted to go there and fight for a podium and battle for a win. That’s my intention to go there as a wild card – I didn’t want to just be there. In the end, I did just go there, but as a spectator! I wasn’t going to go at all, but my manager was up there anyway helping a lad in World Supersport, so I rocked up there on Friday and had a little nosey around, spoke to a few people and watched on the grass bank at Craner. I couldn’t really watch too much because I was gutted not to be out there, which is why I didn’t go back up Sunday.
Knockhill: Scottcame,hesaw,heconquered.
AGESA HAM PHOTO. CO. UK
Talking of rides, I hear all sorts of r year and what I’m riding! Ultimately, deal with Birdy, but it does depend o things. My target, first off, is to try aSuperbike Championship this year, bdo want to go to WorldSBK eventuallthink I’ve showed everyone that I cacompetitive and fast, and I’ve provelot of people wrong, so a shot on a competitive bike in WorldSBK is deserved. I want to win a world championship – that’s what I’ve wanted to do all my life, so I need to be in the right time at the right place. I wouldn’t say it’s as action-packed as BSB, but that’s down to the circuits and rules and regs. I would also like another chance in MotoGP, but only on a fuck good bike. Never say never, and I’m s Bautista is thinking the same, but heas me – why would we go back to Gbike when we could be winning som on a competitive bike?