English
Italiano
John McGuinness, the 51-year-old rider who's famous for his 23 wins at the Isle of Man TT, was also at Silverstone. Known for being a road racing specialist, the rider from Morecambe also boasts a great deal of experience on closed circuits. In fact, he also raced in Endurance at the 24 Hours of Bol D'Or and of Le Mans, as well as in some wild-card races at the time of the 500cc two-stroke and the Daytona 200. He's also a champion in the 250cc British championship and finished third in the British Superstock championship in 2009. He was an all-round rider, known and respected even by riders such as Rossi, who had jokingly nicknamed him "balls of steel" for the courage he showed on two wheels. It was precisely with Valentino Rossi and a few other MotoGP riders that McGuinnes rode here at Silverstone recently, including completing a lap behind Valentino that had earned him "the fastest lap I've ever done here."
What was it like to ride here at Silverstone?
"It was a good experience. I don't have to do an entire championship so I can choose the circuits to ride on. I had this chance to ride in the superstock, and I choose to ride in the circuits I enjoy. I raced here a few weeks ago with the guys. I got a taste of it, let's say. I followed Valentino for a lap, and I did the fastest lap I've ever done here. I was really strained on that lap! It was something I was looking forward to. We were here with the bikes with family and friends without too much pressure. Whether I gained points or not wasn't important. I still have a lot of fun riding motorcycles, that's my problem!" the British rider said jokingly. "I should've retired by now at my age, but I can't. I love putting on my helmet, and I'm still doing well."
What kind of circuit is Silverstone compared to other British tracks?
"It's definitely a different circuit, very flat and very wide. It's strange, compared to Oulton Park or Cadwell Park, which is very narrow and, at the edge of the track, there's grass right away. It's much more old school, very technical. Silverstone is a unique circuit. It's one of the oldest and most famous. In a way, it's the home of British Motorsport, and it has evolved over time. When I started racing in the nineties, it was very different. There are different track configurations, but it's really big for me. I'd say almost gigantic. It always feels like you're not fast enough on the straight whereas, at the TT, it's very different. In general, I enjoy being on a bike regardless. I love racing on any track."
What was it like racing with Valentino and exchanging views with him in the garage?
"We had a good chat. He's from the last generation that raced on two-strokes before the advent of electronics, so we had a lot to talk about. He's genuinely interested in the TT, but we also talked about other things like speedway and motocross. I also talked to the other guys. Even Morbidelli was interested in the TT and in what I do. For me, it's like being at home here. But, on the track, everyone is really fast, so fast!" he laughed, and continued. "I'm riding around with my old-school riding style, while these guys are bending with their elbows on the ground. I was behind Alex Rins, and he had his elbow on the ground. We were going at the same speed, but I was a long way from having my elbow on the ground. It was a great experience. It's nice to have these opportunities again. We had fun and laughed, respecting each other on the track, and I also got to learn something. There was also Bezzecchi who fell after three laps. I felt the bike scraping the asphalt, but they're all very professional. They're like gods and, yet, seeing them, they look small, but what they do is incredible. We finished around three in the afternoon, but we had the circuit to ourselves, and I didn't want to go home. I had the big tank we use at the TT, so I kept using the track with everyone telling me to go home! You don't often get the opportunity to have Silverstone all to yourself, and for free!"
What's the difference between racing on a circuit like this and a TT race?
"For me, racing on a circuit like this is definitely a lot more physical than the TT. At the Isle of Man, you have to get into a kind of rhythm. It's a matter of pace, and there are points where there are a lot of changes of direction, and it gets more physical. But there are also parts where you can relax. It sounds crazy but, in the straights, you can take a breather, you can stretch your fingers and so on. You have to find a balance, because the race is an hour and forty-five minutes long and, if you push too hard at the beginning ... You need a lot of concentration here, and that makes everything more intense. You brake very hard, while you use the brakes differently, but you have to keep your concentration high there too, because we all know the price you pay if you make mistakes."
Can you face the TT with your eyes closed. Was it more intense here because you tried to improve?
"It happens sometimes. I did it in the past when I was younger, but short circuits have never been my thing. I raced in the supersport and did a few wild cards. I won the British championship on the 250 and was decent but, when I got to the higher levels, I didn't have the stuff to do as well. I did so many races at the Isle of Man, more than a hundred. Those are a lot of races. I've done at least fifty thousand miles on that circuit. I remember the statistic where, in adding up Valentino's GPs, he went around the world. I think I did it a couple of times. It's a curious statistic. Seen from the outside, it looks unbelievable, but it's normal to me. However, it's not just a physical thing. In the MotoGP, you race good or bad at the same time, all the time, whereas, at the TT, the race might be postponed, the conditions change all the time, the position of the sun, the light going through the trees, the direction of the wind. It's difficult, and there are so many unknowns to consider. In the MotoGP, it's definitely more repetitive, the sensations are different."
After talking to various MotoGP riders, is there one you think would have the right mindset to tackle the TT?
"Your world changes when you race at the Isle of Man. Suddenly, something changes, and you respect it more. I think Valentino would be the right man to take on that race. When he came in 2009, he had fun. He even did a parade. He called me 'balls of steel'!" John laughed. "Nicky Hayden and Capirossi also came, but the nice thing is that they could've damaged the image, they could have said it's crazy and too dangerous as a race, but they approached it with respect and a positive attitude. We know it's dangerous, we know what can happen, and it was part of the championship until 1972. At that time, those riders had to inevitably face it. They had no choice! As always, it's difficult to talk about and to be able to convey those feelings. But I know everyone talks about it, and many people watch it and enjoy it."
Would you like to try a MotoGP bike?
"I'd love to ride a MotoGP. I tried the old 500 two-stroke. but modern bikes are another story. Maybe I should ask Honda, but I guess we have other things to think about now. It must be a frustrating situation for them in the MotoGP. It's a historical brand, but now they're having difficulties. I hope they'll resolve things in the next few years. I think they will."
What was it like racing at the TT in the two-stroke era?
"We used to practice at 5:30 in the morning. The air was thick and, because we were going up a mountain, and it was cold there, you had to calibrate when you got down to sea level. We had a fan on the radiator that we could close or open, to keep the engine warm or to cool it down. There was a lever on the handlebars for that. When you went up the mountain, you'd close it and then open it again. The engine would give you a signal right away when it cooled down. I tried a 500 with a V-engine. A little unstable and maybe too light, lost a little speed. It was 1998. I ran out of gas on the last lap a few miles before the end of the race while I was fourth. I like the race at the Isle of Man," he continued. "I have no pressure there, and the world flows much slower. Superbikes are scary now. Honestly, I've been on them and, when you're at the apex of the corner, good or bad, the speed is the same as twenty years ago. But, when you accelerate, it's tough."
If you had to bet a penny between challenging Bagnaia versus Marquez next year?
"My heart says Marquez, but reality probably favors Bagnaia. However, you can't take your eyes off Marquez. He's crazy. Everyone is waiting to see what's going to happen. He had that contact with Bulega last week. He must be made of iron. He doesn't seem to feel any pain, yet, he should have some after falling a million times a year. It's unbelievable. But it' s good to see him. Watching him race is infectious. Bagnaia won the race of champions. He's really talented too. But I don't want to bet too much. I'm from the north of England. We're careful with money. We say we have long pockets and short arms!" he finally concluded with a joke.
