Pre-season preparations are well underway and this year there will be no stone unturned, no box unticked, as we head quickly to the first round of BSB.
I've just had another birthday and I've racked up a few of them now and it got me thinking about how much racing life I have left in me.
Now, please don't take that as an indication that I have any inclination of giving up any time soon. That thought has never crossed my mind, but what I am is a realist: my life as a professional motorcycle racer can - and will only last so long. Each birthday, each season, I have, that moment looms closer.
Nobody can ever possibly know how long their sporting career might, last and it can end for numerous reasons... anything from injury to losing the love, through to plainly and simply not being good enough and not getting a ride. But whatever the reason, the day comes to each and every one of us, and when that day eventually comes and I hang up the HJC, I want to be able to say I went 'all in' and there was nothing more I could have done. You're a long time retired, and I don't want to spend that time thinking 'what if'.
I can quite happily live with myself and be content if I know I gave it my absolute 100% - and even if it eventually turns out that I simply wasn't good and there were better guys on the day (or year), then that's fine.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Fast Bikes UK.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Fast Bikes UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
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DAN LINFOOT THE WORLD AT HIS FEET...
The racing world is full of characters who generally like to keep themselves to themselves, and I respect that. However, some of these people have a great story to tell. I'm incredibly fortunate to be friends with a few, have access to many more, and through my role with the award-winning podcast Chasin' the Racing, I get to sit down and chew the fat with some amazing individuals, so I wanted to give you lovely bunch a peep through the keyhole and an opportunity to get to know a bit more about some of these 'people of interest'.
ROSSI'S RANCH - LA 100KM DEI CAMPIONI
It's not every day you get the invite to trade paint, drifts and stories with Rossi and a bunch of world champions, but that's how life played out for the Neave twins a few weeks back.
RATING RUBBER...
We love a tyre launch, and especially ones of a sporty disposition. So when Michelin dropped us a line about not one, but two additions to their range, we didn't need our arm twisting to get stuck in and see what they're all about...
2017-2021 SUZUKI GSX-S750
Is the understated Suzuki GSX-S750 worth considering in the used market?
YAMAHA MT-09 - If you like your bikes nutty, naked and packed full of punch, you'll love the fourth-generation Yamaha MT-09.
Ten years ago, I found myself a part of the maddest, baddest, and arguably most illegal motorcycling I've ever a put my name to.
BACK TO THE FUTURE - KTM DUKE 990
It's been a while since KTM last had a 990 Duke in its range, but the name is back - and this new addition is perhaps one of its most exciting offerings ever. Here's why...
A CUT ABOVE
Four years on from the revolutionary release of the RCV-inspired Fireblade, Honda's given its flagship sportsbike a masterpiece of a makeover.
Steve Parrish
I'm fresh back from the South African Classic TT races and Christ, it's still bloody raining over here.
Christian Iddon
Well, my last column was all about just how I'm going to be the most prepared I could ever be for the season ahead.
SHOEI X-SPR PRO
I'll cut to it... when it comes to my kit, I don't mess around - especially when it comes to helmets.
