Donington Park WSBK Special – Part 2

Motopod, proudly supported by Road Skin, a UK label specializing in protective outerwear for motorcyclists. Modern biker clothing that you can wear all day long and engineered to save your skin. For the road, for life, visit roadskin.co.uk Welcome to Motopod, the internet radio show all about motorcycle road racing. This is going to be episode number 782, coming fairly hot on the hills of our Mizano 2 review. So as planned, what we have here is part two of the Donington World Superbike Rider Interview specials.

This episode will conclude the Donington Round content from July. And once again, I say it a lot, but I think it does bear repetition over and over again. A huge thanks to the teams, the riders, the press officers, and of course to Dawner themselves for allowing us the access into the press area with media accreditation. It's so important to have that, so it's greatly appreciated. Hopefully all of you listeners are really enjoying this content.

As we do it more and more, what we're going to want to do is for the Patreon and PayPal subscribers give you guys the opportunity to fire in questions. We did have a couple of listener questions which I used in these interviews, so hopefully that was good. And yeah, more of the same coming up. As I've mentioned, we're going to be getting into the Silverstone Moto GP interviews. We've got about four shows worth of content to put out over the coming week or two with that and busy editing at the moment.

So again, sorry it's taken me a little while to get to all of this as I've constantly the show along with Jim. We're busy with our work and our families and so on and so forth. So if we were doing this as a full time job, it would be a lot easier. But anyway, hey ho, maybe in a parallel universe, that's what we're doing. Anyway, in this show, which is going to run to about half an hour, we have got Bonovo action BMW rider Garrett Gurloff.

Now those of you who've been listening to the show for a while will recall that I spoke to Garrett at Donnington in fact last year. So it was good to catch up with him, find out where he's at. Just a bit of post interview news because when I recorded this back in July, his whereabouts in 2025 was unknown because the Bonovo squad is kind of half pulling out of World Superbike. It's actually going to remain just with the team principal not there anymore. Looks like it will be a one rider team, possibly on a Ducati.

As of now, no news on who that rider will be, possibly Scott Redden. But Garrett Gurloff himself has signed a deal to move over to the Pachetti Kawasaki team. Now that's going to be an interesting move because Pachetti kind of becomes the official Kawasaki team next year. That is to say they will take on the KRT bikes from this year. So they will run those works Kawasaki's all be it one year old next year.

So that's what Garrett will be on. As we know, the KRT team becomes this new Bimota Kawasaki Fusion team. Lots of questions about that, of course, and time will tell. Following Garrett, we have another catch up with Iker Lekwona. Now again, I spoke with Iker when he was on MotoGP substitute duties last year in Qatar.

So interesting to speak to him about his primary role for HRC, which is as a work superbike rider. Super guy, always really friendly and willing to talk. So that's the longest chat. Hope you enjoy it. Next up will be Axel Bassani.

Axel is the teammate of Alex Lowe, who featured in episode 780. Some similarities, of course, in the questions because I spoke to them one after the other. Again, hopefully for any Italian listeners, that will be an interesting one. And then finally, a very famous name. I was able to speak.

In fact, it was the very first interview I did across the whole of the weekend. And that was with Oli Baylis, son of very, very famous father, Troy, of course. Now Oli rides in the D34G team, which for those that know, that's David Giuliano's team. Again, people will remember David from World Superbike a few years ago. Very successful rider in his own right.

We don't follow World Super Sport massively closely on this show. Mention things from time to time as they come up. Perhaps it's an area that we ought to be spending more time on because that class is becoming super interesting in terms of the rules of the technical package and the range of different bikes and configurations out there. Anyway, Oli is having a moderately good year, I guess. He's currently, as I record this intro on the 24th of September, we've just had the Cremona round in Italy.

So Oli currently stands 14th in the points. Back midway in the table, I guess you'd say. Hopefully we'll get a chance to catch up with him again at some point next year and find out how his progression is going. I won't go into the results from the races too much in terms of the World Superbike guys. All of that information can be found on the Superbike website, of course.

I think it's probably just best to crack on into the interviews. And so first up, let's speak with Garrett Gerloff. Delighted to be joined again by Benova Action BMW rider Garrett Gerloff. Garrett, welcome back to the show. How's today been for you?

Yeah, I appreciate it. Man, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with how it ended, but it's been up and down today. It was nice to finish third this morning and to have like a really solid start to the weekend, which I've been missing the last few rounds. So that was something really positive. And then we just made like a decent amount of changes and maybe just didn't use the right tire in the end of the second session.

And so I finished way down the order. So that's like a bit frustrating. But in general, yeah, I'm feeling good on the bike. So this is the second year on the BMW, is it? Yes.

Yeah, second year. So when we were here last year at Donington Park talking, we were discussing about how to unlock the potential in the BMW. Would it been a new package for you? What's the progress one year on, do you feel, in terms of like yourself and where the bike is getting to technically? Yeah, I feel like it's hard to say.

I've struggled with electronics this year. There was like some updates that we got at the beginning of the year and they don't feel bad by any means, but they feel different. It's just been tough. Like I just haven't had the lap time come as easy this year. And I'm not sure how much of that could be affecting it.

So I'm not saying it is that, but I've just been struggling to get to the same lap times I was doing last year, let's say. And so, yeah, I just kind of scratching my head a little bit on that. But then you have a guy like Toprac that's just destroying everybody. And, you know, everything looks so simple and so straightforward for him. You know, it makes it hard for me to be like, oh, no, the bike doesn't feel as good as last year.

So I must just say, when I arrived this morning, I was stood down at the hairpin watching you guys going up towards the Goddards. And I noticed that both your bike and with Scott's as well on the power out of the Melbourne hairpin, you kind of looked to be having some trouble keeping the front wheel down, which I didn't see was a problem for the other BMWs out there. I don't know if that's an electronics thing, as you say, if you've got some different settings that you haven't had before. Yeah, there's so many things that can adjust that can affect how the bike works. Like it's ridiculous how how ingrained the electronics are in racing right now.

But yeah, it sounds like a really controlled thing. I have trouble with it. I have used a lot of rear brake today. Top Rack just looks like he's able to carry so much momentum that he's able to exit the corner with maybe a couple of K an hour faster, which can help keep the front wheel down. Also, that's like another variable.

That's a really good segue, actually, because my next question was going to be obviously we can see what Top Rack is doing on the BMW. But I assume you get to his data. So is that a help or a hindrance? I mean, because he has such a unique style, doesn't he? And go about riding a bike.

Yeah, it's very you are in terms of that. Is it a help or a hindrance? I mean, it's a help, but it's almost like you're looking at a 2D image of what you can't see at all. You just see the lines and you can try to put an image together in your head of what he's doing. But it's not like you can't see what he's actually doing.

What's been hard for me is that I see data say one thing and then I'll watch video of like the session or what I see Eugene take videos of. And it almost contradicts what I see in a way. Not all the time and not completely, but so it just makes me scratch my head. And it's just like, you know, I want to focus on myself as much as possible to try because I just want to be better than I was yesterday kind of thing. But when you have a guy that's doing so well, it's hard.

It's so hard not to look at him and be like, OK, what's he doing for a bike setting? How is he riding the bike? All that kind of stuff. Obviously, last year you had Loris Baz on the bike and this year you've got Scott. So, I mean, how is that working out in terms of info sharing within the team and general bike development?

Is it kind of more of the same because Scott's another tall guy like Loris was? Or are there some other things that Scott's brought that kind of help or hinder? It's pretty similar. I think we it's pretty similar to how it was last year with Loris. We struggled with similar things this year.

And so, you know, it's hard to find what easy to find a path out. You kind of. Yeah, basically like that. Because you obviously were third in FP1 this morning and then you alluded to the fact that perhaps you didn't go with the right tyre at the end of FP2 and ended up 15. But overall a positive ish day or you look a bit frustrated?

Yeah, I hate to end the day like that. So, yeah, frustrated, but I mean positive, I think I just got like a I used a used X and a used zero in the second session and the zero felt so much better than the X. So I was like, OK, I'll just use a new zero and be good. And then, yeah, it wasn't the way. So anyway, that was just a mistake on my part.

But yeah, I started struggling with like engine brake and stuff, too. So, like I said, there's so many different things, so many different variables that can affect lap time. If you don't get it perfectly nailed down, you know, it can make your life harder. Obviously, Donnerton is a kind of what we call the track of two halves, isn't it? Really got a really fast flowing first half of Crane and then that kind of nudgey bit at the end with the Melbourne Loop.

I mean, is there is one part of the track half better with the BMW than the other? I'm guessing it prefers the front. Well, for me personally, the first three sectors, more or less, is my favorite part of this track. Like it's just so flowy. You're just going so fast.

Like it just feels good. And then the stop and go at the end, I honestly hate. I can't stand it. You're not alone. No, yeah.

So it's just not my favorite part of the track. But it's definitely two halves. And that's what makes it interesting out here. And that's what makes Top Rack so good is that he's smoking it in both those halves. Bearing in mind the day you've had today, and you kind of know perhaps what caused the result not to be quite what you wanted in FP2.

I mean, what are your thoughts going into tomorrow? Qualifying and race number one. It looks like it's going to be a reasonable day weatherwise, I think. Maybe not hot and sunny, but hopefully not wet. So hopefully not.

Yeah. Well, your realistic expectations tomorrow. You're positive. I know you like Donington, right? Yeah, I definitely like Donington.

No, I'm positive. I know that we could get in the top 10. I think that's a realistic goal. I mean, something that is a bit more of a stretch. I'd love to be in the top five, but everybody's going really well here.

It's the thing is, it's been so tight this year that unless you have something that's weighing ahead, everybody else, I mean, you're going to get caught in fights throughout the whole field. So, I mean, it's going to be like a tough dogfight, I think. But yeah, I feel confident that we can be in the top five, top 10. OK, I'm looking forward to seeing that. I hope that's what proves to be the case.

And I'm just going to touch on next year a little bit, because obviously you've made some comments as has Scott been able to talk about it a little bit. Jürgen Roeder, I think, is pulling out the team for personal reasons, whatever those are. So it's not a BMW thing. But given where BMW are at now with this bike, you would imagine that they're in a pretty strong position to get another satellite squad on board, hopefully for next year. So is that something that you're kind of hopeful might happen and that you'll get to continue this project elsewhere in the pit lane?

I mean, yeah, sure. I know you can't talk specifics. You might not know anything at this point in time, but that kind of seems logical kind of course of events for me. And that's what we all hope will happen. That would be cool, for sure.

I mean, I have enjoyed my time on the BMW and especially with the Bonobo team. Like, that's the only thing that's going to be a big disappointment is not having the same guys around me next year for the most part or more than likely. And so that's what I'm going to miss the most. But if I could continue on the BMW and some from, I'd be super happy. Or if there's another project or program that's really interested to have me, I'm also interested in doing something like that.

Scott Bolton, who's a past host and occasional still host or contributor for Motofod, he's met you several times. He's an American guy. You probably remember he sends his best regards to you. He sent in a question, again, on thoughts on next year. So Scott says if a good offer doesn't materialize for the more super white panet, is a return to Moto America on the cards?

And I would kind of obviously echo that in terms of what you see with the titlers and the top pro teams out there with BMW again, with Cam and Sean Dylan Kelly. So is that something that you would potentially consider if it comes down to it? Yeah, I mean, I don't want to be sitting around doing nothing. Because Moto America is strong this year. For sure.

Really growing again. Yeah. Which is great to see. Racing's been really good. I just talked to a couple of people and they say that a lot of fans are showing up and everything.

And so it seems like the series is in a really strong place. And I definitely consider going back. But I would say that for sure, my first priority would be to stay in Europe, you know? Yeah. It's opportunities here to race are not easy.

They don't come around all that often. And it was hard enough to get here the first time. I don't want to like just just walk away too early kind of thing. So priorities to stay here. Yeah, good.

OK. Well, I think that's everything I wanted to ask you. Just glad to see you've had a good day today, because I know it's been a kind of a bit of an up and down tough kind of start to the year. Although we're deep into the summer and we've only had four rounds so far. So the championship is quite young.

I mean, that's another question. I mean, do you get a bit frustrated with the calendar as it stands at the moment and these kind of big gaps between races? Because it's hard to build momentum and get flow, I guess, from your point of view. For sure. And it's just like the gaps don't help with a lot of things because there's only been four races and all the decisions for next year are being made now.

And I didn't have the best start of the season, let's say. And so to basically still have 24 races left and to have everything being decided for next year already. It's put somebody like me at a disadvantage, I'd say. So, yeah, it is nice for me to be able to go from one race to another and get into a flow. So I think things like that would.

Yeah, it would have helped me. But anyway, I can't change it. And it is what it is. But I would prefer closer races and to not have this calendar be 10 months long kind of thing. Well, we wish you the best of luck for tomorrow and hope you'll put a good case for yourself tomorrow with these decisions being made up and down the pit lane.

And we wish you the best of luck. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks, Gareth. Thanks for talking to us again.

Cheers. So delighted to be sat with Ika Leguona again. Ika, really nice to see you again, because as we were just talking, we spoke at Qatar in November last year. So pleasure to see you. Tell us, let's jump straight into the main news.

I read that there was some maybe quite positive tests going on in Cremona and Barcelona recently. Can you tell us a little bit about how things went and how things are looking going forward into this round at Donatipo? Yeah, at the end, the first thing I need to say is that I have a really bad luck with the injuries during the winter test or because at the end of December and January, I need to recover from my hand. Like I need to be a synergy for my old injury on the hand because it's coming worse and worse, so I need to solve. Then I start the decision with dislocated my shoulder, then injury on the knee.

So not a very good or positive start of decision. Yeah, and also plus that the bike is almost new, like a new setup, everything new. My crew chief is new. So many things for me was new on the team. So I can't ride.

I don't have time on track. I don't have time on the bike or working with my crew chief. So we need time to learn. Solve a new puzzle. Yeah, you know, at the end, when it's a new crew chief, you need to have a relationship.

He needs to learn about, in my case, my style, what I need on the bike, what I like on the bike. So also myself, I need to learn about his work. So it's just we need time. And it's true during the after my injury in Assen, in the knee, we have four days testing to Mishano, to Cremona. Then we go to Mishano, then we go two more days in Cremona, one more day.

So after all these days, we learn. I learn about the bike. My crew chief learn about me. I learn about the crew chief. So everything we learn about the bike because for both of us was new.

And we prepare a good setup. Honestly, it's just a base on the bike. We change something for sure. This new exhaust or new items, but it's not almost new. Sometimes it's old pieces that we try with new base.

Yes. In a different character and works better, honestly. So for now, we are quite happy. Honestly, I think we did a good step right now. But like always, that is a testing.

In Mishano, we did a really good job. But from Mishano to now, we changed little device and we find something. We think we find something. So until this week in the race, we are not really sure if it's working or not. Yeah, because I was going to ask you, you know Donington Park, you've raced here before based on the recent tests and the progress that you made.

Is there a section of the track here which you think is going to be interesting to see some of these positive changes? Sector one. I remember last year, of course, we struggled in general. That track was funny, but it was quite critical for us, for Honda. But I think one of the worst sectors was sector one.

I don't know if also even two. Like all the first corners, downhill, long, was difficult for us. Followed the line, was difficult to take the speed. Yeah, it was interesting because it's one of the worst track for us. Last year here, most and a manicurso.

Right now we have Donington now and next week we have most. So two of the critical tracks for us. So it was important for us if confirmed that we did the step or in the negative area, we can say no. Although you're still learning even then. What do you make of the progress that you can see for the Fireblade in the British Superbikes?

Now, I know the technical regulations are very different, but Tommy Bridewell, you probably saw, is doing an incredible job. So what do you make of the differences between the performances? I'm not really sure. At the end, we did the test with him in Cremona. We had the chance to try both bikes.

So you tried the bike without the electronics? Feels different, but like you said, the championship was completely different. The rules was different. So the engine or the bike setup, everything was different. Do you prefer the absence of the electronics with the BSB?

Do you prefer to have all the control yourself? I prefer like the BSB to have more on my hand. You're welcome to come here. You know, right now, right now, all the bikes, all the MotoGP are here. Even last year, I see MotoGP like it starts to be boring because you're a passenger on the bike.

If the bike arrives to that level, it's difficult to put more. It's not the same here in Superbike, but with the electronics. Yes, the electronics have everything. So for me, it will be more interesting if the rider has more on his hand to make the step. To make the difference.

Yeah, to make the difference. So that's different. That's different. And I guess none of the data from the Honda UK program is of use in the Superbike because of the electronics? No, because it was different.

The engine character was different because he don't have electronics. So he cannot have this power on the engine because he don't have health, you know. The bike setup, everything was different. So it's different to compare also the data because you cannot compare if it was different. Yeah, it's a bit frustrating, I guess, because it was the extra data that was useful.

We're frustrating when you see that the Honda can win and we cannot win it. Why? Maybe for the rules, maybe for the way that we choose here, maybe because, I don't know, many, many things changed. So we don't know exactly why. Let's talk a little bit about the future.

You're on a two-year contract, I believe. So you're riding here again in 2025. I hope, yes. Yes, I hope as well. I mean, it's very clear to everybody in both World Superbike, in British Superbike and in MotoGP, HRC is pushing very, very hard, changing many things.

I mean, we even saw Takeo Yokoyama here in the BC in May. So tell me about your confidence for the program. I mean, can you see your positive steps now? I can say that after three years, almost three years, yes, maybe it's the first time I start to feel that Japan did a proper change inside HVC to make the step. Maybe after three years, I can feel it.

During these first years, I cannot feel it. We talked, we said many things, but he didn't do anything, honestly. Right now, I can say, OK, maybe now he wakes up and he realizes, they realize that we need to improve. We are the last factory here. If he wants to win, we need to change something.

And that starts from the base, that is the factory. So, yeah. Right now, I believe more. Maybe I lose a little bit this feeling about the project, but I can say that during this year with Takeo that is coming, with the horses coming, or more changes inside HVC, maybe I believe more. I start to believe more.

And just lastly, with Donington Park, is it a good track for you? Is it a favorite track for you? I mean, how positive and confident are you about the races? It was funny, but last year I crashed, I remember, at the end of the race. I like it, but I struggle a lot on the bike.

So sometimes I prefer the track that I hate, but I have a good result, you know? Let's see, this year was a question mark for us, like I said before, so I prefer to say almost nothing about that. It looks like maybe Saturday you have a damp track and then on Sunday it's a bit drier. Not sunny or hot. Let's see, even if it's a miscondition or some storm or whatever, sometimes it's a good Maybe it's a chance to make a good result.

I like a lot of this miscondition. Maybe now we understand a bit more the way to go fast in a wet area. So like I said, we think we learn a lot, but we need to prove now. So let's see what happens. Well, we wish you great luck and enjoyment this weekend.

Above all, I hope you enjoy riding the bike here. The weather is not too bad. I hope, I expected, but yeah, thank you. You're in the UK, so good luck and thank you for talking to us again. Thank you.

That's a pleasure. Cheers. Thank you, man. Thanks, Alpezzani. Welcome to Motopod.

Thank you for your time. Can I start by asking you what you think about Donington Park? Is it a good track for you? One that you particularly enjoy? You're in love with Kramer Curves like many riders are?

I like a lot Donington because it's a really old circuit with a lot of history, so it's always special for me to come here. It's a really difficult track because you have a fast part, but also the last part is really slow, difficult with the small corner. So it's always special to ride here. I hope to do a good weekend, but we'll see. Yeah, we brought the special British weather for you, so I apologise on behalf of...

No, for me it's okay. I like when the conditions continue to change. It's part of the game, so it's more easy to put a little bit of confusion on the mix. As most of our listeners will know, you've been in the paddock for quite some years, a couple of years in World Super Sport and then 2021 to 2023 on the Moto Course in Ducati. Tell us a little bit about the decision to move across to Kawasaki and how the transition between the two bikes is coming for you.

Sure, it's never easy to change bike and change team, especially come from Ducati, VW4 to Kawasaki. The bike is completely different, but for sure, for me to take the decision was not because I always wanted to come to go on the factory team. So when Kawasaki asked me to start to work together, I was happy to come with them. So it's difficult, but at the same time it's nice. It's funny because everything is completely different.

There is a completely different way to work. So I'm learning a lot of things and I'm trying to do my best every time we are coming better and better. Yeah, because in Mizano you are the sixth place and the seventh place. So clearly there is progress. What is it that's changing?

Are you just adapting to the bike or are you changing some things in your own style? No, you have to completely change your training at home because the bike is more difficult to ride. You have to push more on the bike. Every lap you have to push. With Ducati it was more easy to manage the race.

So you have to change your way to work at home. Also you have to change your style to work also with the team and the bike is completely different. So you have to change your mind. It's not easy after some years where you continue to ride in the same style, change, but it's part of the game. It's our job and we are here for that.

Yeah. Now Alex is obviously one on the bike this year. So and you are making progress. Clearly we can see that in the results. So looking forward to the next round.

Can you see a podium is a potential? I don't think about podium now because especially this year the level is really high. It's not easy. Sure, we are here for try to fight for a good position, but at the moment our position is not podium. We have to be realistic and try to fight every time for our position.

I think for us now staying in the first eight position, seven is good. After if podium arrive, sure it's nice. But at the moment if we start to think only about podium is not the right way. We have a job to do and we need to do slowly, try to understand the bike and arrive to fight for the top position with a good idea that what we are doing. Yeah, I did a podium and the race after P10.

I don't like to do like that. Like I just asked to Alex, I'm going to finish by asking you about 2025 and as an Italian to become part of the Bimota Association. That must be a real enthusiasm for you to be part of that project. I mean, what do you feel about it? I'm happy to next year to be with always with the same team, but with different manufacturers, with Bimota, Italian manufacturers.

So I'm happy to work with someone from Italy. So more easy for me to be with them. But yeah, sure. It's a new chapter. We see it's not easy because it's completely everything is completely new.

We have a lot of work to do. But the important is that Kawasaki want to try to come back to we so start to work with Bimota to try to do a good job, to try to come back to to fight for the championship. Because now the last year, Japanese manufacturers have some difficult. So it's nice that Kawasaki, Japanese manufacturers change his mind to try to win. So this is important.

Yeah. OK, well, I think I probably used up all my time. Eva is smiling at me. So I hope you have a really successful weekend. Safe three races.

It's two races, right? Yeah. Not this silly other one that we talked about. So I hope it goes well for you and yeah, good luck. Thank you for talking with us.

Thank you. Cheers. Rich here at Donington Park World Superbikes. Delighted to say you've got Olly Bayless. Olly, welcome to the show.

First time on. First of all, how are you doing? Yeah, good. Really good. Thanks for having me.

Nice to have you. So Olly, a bit short on time. So sum up your 24 seasons so far, you're currently 12 from the standings. I double checked last night heading into Donington, 33 points scored. So how do you kind of sum up the year to date?

Yeah, it's been a bit of a strange year. We had a bit of bad luck early on and one good round at home. And then we went to Assen, struggled a little bit. Went to Barcelona and struggled a little bit at the start, but we finished in a pretty good position. And then we went to Misano where we had a pretty consistent weekend of progression.

So yeah, we're getting there. And if we keep the ball rolling, then I think we can have a good year. Yeah. As you say, you had your best result. I think you embraced one at Phillip Island, didn't you?

Yeah. What are the realistic expectations coming into Donington Park then with the couple of races you got? We kind of want to keep the ball rolling and keep the top eight. If we can get into the top six, then that's where I want to be racing for the rest of the year. Now the supersport class has kind of become, in many ways, the most interesting class I think in the paddock in the last couple of years.

Very rich and varied in terms of the machinery. So what do you see as the relative strengths and weaknesses perhaps of the Panigale V2 as compared to say the Yamaha, the MV Triumph? I mean, there's a lot of different bikes, a lot of different engine configurations out there. It's an interesting series, isn't it? Yeah.

I think the positive for the Ducati is if you can, it's kind of a strange bike to ride. You can't really ride it how, well, at least I think you can't really ride it how, say, you can ride an R6. You kind of have to be a lot smoother and ride it a little bit more like a super bike, I guess. OK. And I think this is...

Is that because it's more of a thoroughbred racing machine really? I don't know. It's just... It's like once the bike starts getting a bit too out of shape, you kind of never end up going faster. So the smoother you are realistically is the faster you'll be.

Where do you see the bike in terms of Donington Park? I mean, obviously you've raced here a good few times now, I guess. Yeah. We had new asphalt last year, so you've got some decent data to work off. So where do you see the bike's strengths here?

I think in the change of directions, the bike's really good, especially on the gas as well. So, you know, on a track like Donington, there's a lot of corners where you're on the gas and changing directions. So, yeah, I think that's the... This is a plus side to this bike. Yeah.

And Donington, is it a good track for you? A favourite? Yeah, I love it. I've done... OK, in the two years, I've done a few track days and two World Superbike Race meetings.

And last year we were on for a good weekend and then we had a bit of a crash. But, no, I think, you know, it's up there with one of my favourites. So you raced for the D34G team. Yeah. That's Davide Giuliano.

Of course, he's the team boss, I guess. So I've got to ask you, you're surrounded by World Superbike stars. You've got Giuliano, you've got your dad, obviously. I mean, who gets to give you the most advice these days? Both of them.

Both of them. They've got their... I don't know how to put this. Different... Not different points of view, but...

Different styles. Yeah, different ways to give me information. And both can be positive towards me. So, yeah, no, it's good hearing it from two different sides, really. And Harenval is your dad.

Does he follow you around still a fair bit? Or is he kind of letting you get on with your career now? No, he doesn't really come to the circuits anymore, just because, you know, he's got a lot going on in Australia. So him and my mum will try and come down to a few races, or one or two throughout the year. So it's good to have them come over for a bit.

And I've also got to ask you, who wins in a straight fight on a bike these days? I mean, do you get out on track with him from time to time? No, only on the dirt bikes. When I'm in Australia, we still go to the kart track a little bit, but not as much as we kind of used to. But on the dirt bikes, because we now live on a bit of property, we race more or less every day.

So, yeah, I mean, I've got him covered now. He's getting a bit old, but I'd like to go back and race his prime, I'm sure. Last question, because I know a little bit pressed for time on this occasion. Obviously, you're a little bit different because you've grown up in the bike racing community. What's your earliest memory in a paddock somewhere?

My co-host Jim was wondering if, say, for example, I can't remember when you were born, but Troy winning in 06, with MotoGP. No, I don't remember any of that. I remember some point in 2006, I just remember because I was three. So maybe either 2006 or 2007, I was at Monza with one of my cousins, and I think I had a mohawk and he painted my hair red. It's something along those lines.

It's just like a little visual memory I have, but it's the first one I can remember. And do you see it as an advantage? I mean, obviously, it's not a disadvantage, but is it an advantage having grown up in this atmosphere? Obviously, you come with your eyes wide open. You know exactly how these places operate.

Is that a good thing, do you think? Yeah, I think it's a good thing. It's good because a lot of the guys that were around when my dad was racing are still working or hanging around the track. If I ever need help from some people, it's there. You've got contact now.

Yeah. So there's many lifelong friends that I've met when I was young and are still to the track, so it's nice. Cool. Okay, well, I'll just say I'm a little bit pressed for time on this one, but it's great to meet you, obviously, we hope you have a really good weekend. Hopefully the weather's not going to be too touchy.

I'm a friend of the UK winner. Do you have a preference? Yeah, I prefer the dry. You like the dry or you want it dry? Yeah, I prefer the dry for sure.

Is that better for the bike as well, would you say? No, I mean, there's a lot of guys that go really good on the wet on this bike though. So take it as it comes. Yeah, exactly. I just hope it stays dry.

Yeah, so do I. All right, mate. Thanks a lot. Nice to meet you. Cheers.