To kick things off, I called up my best mate, Mr Dan Linfoot. He had an incredible season in the British Superstock 1000 in 2023, and it's fair to say he's been in the limelight after his performances throughout the year. He's just signed for the factory Suzuki world endurance team, SERT, and it seemed like a good opportunity to chew the fat. A quick background on me and Dan. We're both now in our mid-30s, both now fathers of two girls, and live half an hour away from each other.
We've known each other since we were 11, went to school together (although Dan was in the year above), and we spent every day after school out on our BMXs, riding round the sleepy streets of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Dan's the reason I find myself in the bike world. He introduced me to minibike racing in 2004 and the rest is history, as they say.
Dan's racing career really has been something to admire. He's raced in British Championship support classes, European Superstock, Spanish CEV, South America, Australian Classic, 125GPS, 250GPs, World Supersport, British Superbikes, and now World Endurance. We met for a coffee to reminisce over the last 24 years.
Joe: Right chief, for the benefit of the reader, let's go back to where it all started. [Dan smiles awkwardly because we've been on this whole journey together, so I know exactly what he's about to say. I've tried to press record on my phone four times, but every time I press that red button, we both drop to bits and start laughing].
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2024 de Fast Bikes UK.
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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...
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Is the understated Suzuki GSX-S750 worth considering in the used market?
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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
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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.