RE: PH meets John McGuinness
Discussion
Guy Martin is turning into the Nigel Mansell of bike racing, I wish he would stop moaning and get on with riding - it's always the team/the weather/the bike/race control that's the problem.
He'll never win a TT until he drops the prima donna attitude - there are too many good riders who don't get the recognition they deserve - just because he has big side burns and does a bit of telly doesn't make him a TT star.
He'll never win a TT until he drops the prima donna attitude - there are too many good riders who don't get the recognition they deserve - just because he has big side burns and does a bit of telly doesn't make him a TT star.
Back in about 2009 I was lucky enough to get hospitality tickets with HM Plant Honda at a BSB race at Snetterton. John McGuinness and few others gave a bit of a talk and I got to have a brief chat with John afterwards but I was a bit star-struck and just mumbled some rubbish about the TT that year. It's amazing that someone at the very pinnacle of what he does is so down to earth, laid back and approachable. Thanks for asking him some of the stuff that I wish I had. He really has taken his place in motorsport history and is a true TT Legend.
McGuinness is an accomplished rider and a normal down to earth bloke, he ain't here to entertain, though he does entertain me. However, for me, at the moment Guy Martin is more of a personality than an accomplished bike racer, as much as I'm a fan.
Watching them from the Bungalow & Glen Helen McGuinness was absolutely pin point perfect each time, smooth as you like. He knows what it takes to win and it shows, just as mentioned in the interview he rides to his limit and if that's not enough then there's always the next race. Awesome blokes for different reasons but McGuinness is the man.
God knows what's going on with Guy at the moment but he seemed at his best when he had it a bit more simple at Wilson Craig. Smaller set up and sleeping in the van, maybe he's going to end up back at square one. Think he needs to get a Honda ride whatever happens as they're doing all the winning. I really wanna see him win one but at the moment whilst he's one of the people's most favoured he certainly isn't the favourite to win one.
Watching them from the Bungalow & Glen Helen McGuinness was absolutely pin point perfect each time, smooth as you like. He knows what it takes to win and it shows, just as mentioned in the interview he rides to his limit and if that's not enough then there's always the next race. Awesome blokes for different reasons but McGuinness is the man.
God knows what's going on with Guy at the moment but he seemed at his best when he had it a bit more simple at Wilson Craig. Smaller set up and sleeping in the van, maybe he's going to end up back at square one. Think he needs to get a Honda ride whatever happens as they're doing all the winning. I really wanna see him win one but at the moment whilst he's one of the people's most favoured he certainly isn't the favourite to win one.
As i said about the Mark Webber bit FYI, Webber is a huge bike fan. His dad was a bike dealer in Australia and Mark himself owns a very very rare and special...Yamaha Fazer 600!
He's also a big cycling fan and I think I recall a piece in evo a while back where Henry Catchpole rode his bicycle with Mark.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults...
He's also a big cycling fan and I think I recall a piece in evo a while back where Henry Catchpole rode his bicycle with Mark.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults...
Great interview PH. Enjoyed reading that. I too have huge respect for the riders of the TT. It is without doubt one of the very few unspoiled races left.
A truly amazing race to watch for any petrol-head.
Was also great to see Webber, again lots of respect to him too.
I wonder for how long this race will continue, my biggest fear will be that changes on health and safety ground will be brought in sooner or later.
In the meantime, long may it continue.
A truly amazing race to watch for any petrol-head.
Was also great to see Webber, again lots of respect to him too.
I wonder for how long this race will continue, my biggest fear will be that changes on health and safety ground will be brought in sooner or later.
In the meantime, long may it continue.
the TT is an exceptional race... i live in the isle of man and to see what the riders do here is amazin...
mark webber is a fantastic guy specially to watch other motorsports apart from the gp... its nice to see that he backs other riders soo well and he is a fantastic rider in what he does...
in the interview johnmc says how people say they think that the TT riders are lunatics, its bloody true lol. i have witnessed the TT races every year for the last 17 years and they are absolutely mental. the riders consistantly prove to be a completely different breed of rider in comparison with the GP and all short circuit riders, they are much faster and have far less safety in place aswell.
well done to john for doing as well as he is doing and hopefully he doesnt retire any time soon.
great interview
cheers PH
mark webber is a fantastic guy specially to watch other motorsports apart from the gp... its nice to see that he backs other riders soo well and he is a fantastic rider in what he does...
in the interview johnmc says how people say they think that the TT riders are lunatics, its bloody true lol. i have witnessed the TT races every year for the last 17 years and they are absolutely mental. the riders consistantly prove to be a completely different breed of rider in comparison with the GP and all short circuit riders, they are much faster and have far less safety in place aswell.
well done to john for doing as well as he is doing and hopefully he doesnt retire any time soon.
great interview
cheers PH
Dr Imran T said:
I wonder for how long this race will continue, my biggest fear will be that changes on health and safety ground will be brought in sooner or later.
In the meantime, long may it continue.
That is my thought , i am surprised it is allowed todayIn the meantime, long may it continue.
Even at the start line as the riders set off they have pit lane girls standing right there
It really is two fingers to the HR crowd
Legacies are useful things - the TT is a bit like beer - if you tried to introduce it today they would ban it - but as it has been around a bit it survives....
Mind you the guys with the Horses and Hounds used to say that so i keep my fingers crossed and watch in awe for as long as I can!!
Mind you the guys with the Horses and Hounds used to say that so i keep my fingers crossed and watch in awe for as long as I can!!
I'll personally always like Guy Martin as yes he is a character and humans have liked characters as much as proper performers probably dating back to the Roman Gladiators! After all, would we remember famed Roman gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius as much as we do today if not for his awesome one liners and soundbites? 
However, though I dont necessarily think that his TV presenter stuff gets in the way and causes him to not be as focussed I do think that maybe its a symptom of his lack of focus. After all and I know its different as Guy only does a few events a year but can anyone imagine Rossi or Schumacher or Vettel or even Hutchy, Cummins or McGuinness doing any TV presenting and features for evo magazine beyond the absolute bare minimum obligatory stuff?
Plus his column in this month's PB doesn't bode well for future wins at the TT imho as he says that he hates the gym and thinks it full of "vain" people. wth??? He does mention that he cycles to work everyday and that its a good hour or so and that at work he's always lifting heavy tyres and that but imo it just doesn't compare to a good focussed hour at the gym.
In last month's MCN Sport I think there was an article about Tommy HIll and how at 10pm in cold Belfast weather he was running the 8 miles or so to the gym, where he'd work out for another hour and then run home. Absolute nutter. Yes he's a short circuit rider but if one is to win TT's I feel like one has to train just as hard as those who ride >10 short circuit races a year.
Of course I ultimately can't hope to have 1/1000 the riding ability of Guy and am probably just a jealous t
t but it'd be nice to see him become the next McGuinness
However, though I dont necessarily think that his TV presenter stuff gets in the way and causes him to not be as focussed I do think that maybe its a symptom of his lack of focus. After all and I know its different as Guy only does a few events a year but can anyone imagine Rossi or Schumacher or Vettel or even Hutchy, Cummins or McGuinness doing any TV presenting and features for evo magazine beyond the absolute bare minimum obligatory stuff?
Plus his column in this month's PB doesn't bode well for future wins at the TT imho as he says that he hates the gym and thinks it full of "vain" people. wth??? He does mention that he cycles to work everyday and that its a good hour or so and that at work he's always lifting heavy tyres and that but imo it just doesn't compare to a good focussed hour at the gym.
In last month's MCN Sport I think there was an article about Tommy HIll and how at 10pm in cold Belfast weather he was running the 8 miles or so to the gym, where he'd work out for another hour and then run home. Absolute nutter. Yes he's a short circuit rider but if one is to win TT's I feel like one has to train just as hard as those who ride >10 short circuit races a year.
Of course I ultimately can't hope to have 1/1000 the riding ability of Guy and am probably just a jealous t
t but it'd be nice to see him become the next McGuinness Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff