Neil is a former British motorcycle racer who won the 2000 British Superbike Championship, and the 2003 Superbike World Championship titles. He then went on to have a successful four years in the American Superbike Championship, with a best 5th place championship finish.
I met Neil at this year's Bike Show at the Excel and he kindly answered some questions for us.
- What is the best feeling about being on a motorbike?
That you are completely free, and no one is talking to you - it’s just you and your thoughts.
- What is the one thing people would never know about you just by looking at you?
That I am not a very confident person!
- What was your most embarrassing moment on a motorbike?
When I was with some mates and I pulled a wheelie and flipped it and came off. What a dick!
- What is the worst thing your mum caught you doing as a kid?
Shoplifting. It did not go down well!
- Do you have a lucky thing/ritual before the start of a race?
No.
- What was the first motorbike you owned?
A 125 Honda motocross bike in about 1993.
- What is your favourite stretch of road to ride on (not including a racetrack)?
I live on the Isle of Man and I love the mountain road at night.
- If you hadn’t been a racer, what would you have been?
A builder, that was what I was when I left school.
- Would you ride pillion? If so, who with?
Yes, but only with my business partner, Neil Hodgson.
- If you got arrested, what would your friends and family assume you had done?
Shoplifting :-) :-) :-) No, just kidding, probably speeding!!!
Neil, thanks for those fascinating insights,
Biker Kaz
