. w-sbk/moto gp motorcycle racing rider interviews

> DRIVER / RIDER INTERVIEWS:

I've been fortunate enough in the last almost 30 years to visit circuits and speedways around the world and in my travel I've bumped into motorcycle racers and racing car drivers from all the major world series. Here's the interviews for...
NASCAR Nextel Cup . WSBK . F1 . Champ Car / IRL Stars

Chris Vermeulen - SS / W-SBK / MotoGP

Chris Vermeulen - Ten Kate Honda - CVR 100RR - WSBK 2004
I must say from the outset that the young man I met in the Team Ten Kate Honda pit at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit during practice day ahead of round 2 of the World Superbike 2004 World Championship left a lasting impression.

His youth, enthusiasm, and the positive radience he presented was more fitting a young executive than a ride em hard supersport world champion recently promoted to Superbikes. If WSBK suddenly became NASCAR and its stars were featured on cereal boxes and toilet rolls, then young Master Vermeulen would be an instant choice for poster child.

Of course he had every reason to beam. His star is on the rise and he was at his home race where he'd been crowned champion and where the media would be most intent on finding out if success had changed him. Success had changed him. The young speed demon now had an even faster bike!

He'd visited, raced on, and conquered many of the tracks on the WSBK tour on his way to this point so he was ready to talk about his journeys. Are you lucky, I asked him, to have seen so much of the world in your work?

"Lucky and ecstatic!" he replied. And where did you like the most?

"Racing in Italy is a whole different world, to here (Phillip Island, Australia). Visiting any Italian track on a race weekend is spectacular. On a Sunday you'll get 100,000 fans going crazy. It's unreal! So I've always liked to visit the italian tracks, especially misano , which is up next, and Monza, and I'm looking to it even more this year on a Superbike!"

So Italians are the craziest motorcycle racing fans?

"Not so fast. The craziest fans are at Brands Hatch, no question! The fans just pack it in there. And they are obsessed with bikes!

Where else do you like to visit on the road?

"Well, of course, Phillip Island and not just because it's my home track but because it's a real challenge to ride here. It's great here too if you're a motorcycle enthusiast for the views of the track, the viewout over the track at the water, and the long history of the place. So may racing legends have won here at this Island. It's living history. One of the best places.


Step Quick! Chris vermeulen racing into the garage for a swift adjustment. What about Assen?

Well, I live and work just 40 minutes from the track there, which is handy, so it's not really a "travel" experience. Ten Kate is a Honda Dealership and bychical Store in Holland. There a showroom/museum there that people can come to visit.

Piergiorgio Bontempi - W-SBK

Representing Suzuki on a #5 Zongshen Team - Suzuki GSX 1000R, this affable Italian says the Phillip Island Circuit is a favorite for the challenges AND the views. Read the exclusive grandprixcities Bontempi interview.

Pier Francesco Chili - W-SBK / MotoGP

What can I say? Yes, I met the legend himself. Fearless Pier Francesco Chilli says he is getting a little tired of traveling, but still looks forward to some great competition on world class circuits! I've been blessed to meet Famous Fast Folks (interviews) in my life but spending 30 minutes with Frankie was a thrill I'll never forget.

Troy Corser - W-SBK / MotoGP

Aussie motorcycle legend Troy Corser says he doesn't have time to be a tourist. He's too busy doing what he does - riding bikes!

Garry McCoy - WSBK / MotoGP

After the heartbreak of the 2003 MotoGP season, Australian legend, Gary McCoy talks, took a ride on the #24 Team XEROX Ducati, and spoke to me about the new itinerary that comes with his 2004 WSBK Ducati ride. In 2006 it was a pleasure to see him taking out the new Ilmore for another visit to Moto GP.

Jiri Mrkyvka - SS / SBK

Bike (#23 JM SBK Team - Ducati 988RS) & language problems meant for a short interveiw with the pride of the Czech Republic, Jiri Mrkyvka, but I did get a promise to follow up via an interpreter by email ASAP! INTERVIEW EVENTUALLY.

Gianluca Nannelli - SS / W-SBK / MotoGP

Italian racer Gianluca Nannelli who in 2003 was riding the #69 Team Pedercini Ducati, says he gets up to surf at 7am on the perfect March waters off Phillip Island, Australia. "Extra Cool!"

James Toseland - W-SBK / MotoGP

Factory Ducati whiz James Toseland reflects on his times traveling with his career. James went on to win the 2004 WSBK World Championship on his #52 Ducati Fila 999F04. Amazingly charming (and talented) individual.

Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh - SS / W-SBK / MotoGP

The young Flying Dutchman, Van Den Goorbergh is a verteran of many series in his young life. You name it, he's raced it across the many corners of the world, but the hardest to visit is his homeland, Assen, the Netherlands. Jurgen Van Den Goorabergh

Chris Walker - / W-SBK / MotoGP

When I met Chris "the Stalker" Walker he was riding the #9 Foggy Petronas FP1. He told me that his motorsport travel itinerary will include more and more "stops on the way". Read the interview.

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