Image: Russell Colvin (Deus Images).

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

I wouldn’t say I have a ‘greatest moment’, however I regard round one of the ASBK/Phillip Island Championship this year in February a sweet feeling to land on the podium in third place. It was a bit of a shock to get third as I was flat out helping the Oz Wildcard Racing team and Aiden Wagner who were doing the wildcard in the World Supersport. I didn’t think a podium place was possible for myself and the RTR by Moto Obsession team as I wasn’t really giving the race 100 percent, so to be able to walk away with third was pretty cool!

Toughest race ever?

I would regard the double header of the ASBK in 2013 at Sydney Motorsport Park as one of my toughest races, if not my toughest race weekend. After destroying one bike in qualifying, I managed to finish third in race one on the Saturday. However the second race on the same day I sent another bike over the wall, at the same corner! It was one of those weekends I was glad to get away from..

Long-term goal?

To grow old and not kick the bucket to early [laughs]. I would just like to keep racing as fast as I can and be at the pointy-end of the field.

Favourite track?

I love Broadford, just because of the variety the track has. It has uphill, downhill, cambered, off cambered turns and so on. It’s just a fun little circuit to race on.

Arch-rival?

No real arch rivals. I want to beat everyone out on track, but haven’t really had a real rival.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

If I was not racing; I would love to be a fighter pilot! Why? Top Gun is one of my favourite movies, and because of that movie I fell in love with FA-18’s.

Greatest inspiration?
Valentino Rossi. Because of his sideburns, it inspired me to grow a set like his. That’s why I have sideburns, believe it or not. Rossi is unreal, at 36 years old, it’s unreal to see that he still has the passion and drive to keep racing after all of these years.

Superstitions?

Left glove has to go on first every time. Don’t ask me why, it just has to happen that way. There is no other way. I’ve done it since day one when I started road racing. Why change it now?

Training methods?

I ride dirt bikes once a week, bit of motocross and enduro. When I’m not doing that, I do a bit of cardio. Each morning and night I do up to 50 push ups and sits ups as well.

Off the Wall

Non bike-related hobbies?

I don’t mind having surf from time to time. Nothing beats surfing down at Woolamai Beach when the surf is big. I also build a lot of race bikes for other people, which I really enjoy as well. I have always enjoyed building engines.

What car do you drive?
I’m currently driving a white Ford Transit, which is also the race van as well. It’s an all-round good van for everything.

What’s on the iPod?

Right now, it’s a band called Sex Pistols which were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975.

Best thing about racing in Australia?

Everyone speaks English. After spending a year racing in the European Superstock 600 Championship in 2007, the language barrier is a bit of a hurdle. So yeah, racing here in Oz sure is nice to be around English speaking people.

Who will win WorldSBK this year?
It’s hard to look past Jonathan Rea. I can’t see anyone beating Rea to the championship now..

And MotoGP?

The Doctor! It’s going to be close between Rossi and Lorenzo, but my money is on Rossi. IF the championship does come down to the final round at Valencia, I think Rossi will have the mental strength to beat Lorenzo.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

Not a lot of people would know that I’m a vegetarian. I’ve been a vegetarian for 13 years. Apart from that, there is not a lot to tell really.

First and Last

First bike?
A Yamaha PW50 was the first bike I rode at the age of three. The bike was waiting for me when I got home from hospital when I was born. My father [Peter Taylor] used to own Pakenham Yamaha, so it was always going to happen that I would start riding bikes from a young age.

First proper injury?

The first broken bone was my right ankle at the age of thirteen after I came off while motocross training.

First time you got in a fight?

I was 12 and it was at school. There were a few altercations at school. Of course now, I’m a lot more settled.

Last holiday?

I got no idea. I’m not really into holidays, so I don’t really know.

Last big crash you had?

It was at the final round of the ASBK last year at Phillip Island, I was racing in the EVO class. In race three I passed Glenn Allerton into turn four and when I got to the Hayshed it was raining and I lost front end. The lap before it was not raining there, so I was caught out a bit.

One or the Other

Faster circuits or more technical circuits?

I like more technical type of tracks. Technical circuits just comes down to the rider. I have been beaten too many times on faster circuits by faster bikes.

Monster or Red Bull?

Red Bull, it gives you wings [laughs].

PC or Mac?

I don’t have either of them. Closest thing would be my phone.

McDonalds or KFC?

Neither. I’m a vegetarian remember.

MotoGP or WorldSBK?

World Superbikes.

Print or digital magazines?

Printed magazines.

Blonde, brunette or red?

Red! I just love red haired women.