Image: Russell Colvin.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

It would have to be my first Superbike race and round win this year at Sydney Motorsport Park. It just happened at the right time in my career as I was pretty high in the points at that stage and that got me a little bit higher. It’s also my home round which was good. I had a lot of my friends and family there that day, so what a better place to do it than at my home track.

Toughest race ever?

I would have to say Mallala this year in May. Just due because of the arm-pump which I had. I never suffered from arm pump until that weekend. It was stressing me out a bit as I didn’t really know what to do about it expect just hang on. That weekend was all about conserving points. Without a doubt, that would have to be the hardest weekend of my racing career.

Long-term goal?

It’s always been a dream of mine to go over and race in America. You never know, I could end up in Europe, but they are long-term goals. I’m happy where I am at the moment racing for the Yamaha Racing Team with Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance team. I still need to work on my racecraft and fix a few things in my racing here first. There is a bit to work on, but that definitely is the goal to get overseas and make a name for myself.

Favourite track?

Sydney Motorsport Park. It’s a track that I have done heaps of laps around, so I know it like the back of my palm. I seem to be able to flow quite nicely around there and I’m also quite fast there. I just find that the corners link up together quite well which makes the track quite enjoyable to race on. It’s fast and flowing, which I like. There are also some tight sections such as turn nine. Also I like where the track is as well. It’s not out in the middle of nowhere and it’s also quite easy to get to from my house as well, which is always nice.

Arch-rival?

In simple words, everyone!!

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

A male escort (not a Ford Escort)!

Greatest inspiration?

I would say Jorge Lorenzo, just because he trains so hard. I like the way how he is so determined to win one thing and it pays off for him, it seems like he has the biggest mindset in the MotoGP paddock. It doesn’t seem like anything can really get to him when he is in that state of mind – I just like the way how he attacks races.

Superstitions?

I always tighten the back of my boots up really tight when I’m on the grid. All the time I do that.

Training methods?

I go to the gym three days a week and cycle every day of the week. I would do around 500km a week. I enjoy my cycling.

Off the Wall

Non bike-related hobbies?

Of course cycling in a big thing, however, I really enjoy collecting collectable models. In fact, that has probably taken over my cycling at the moment.

What car do you drive?

Ford Focus ST.

What’s on the iPod?

Right now I have Future, Drake and A$AP Rocky.

Best thing about racing in Australia?

The Australasian Superbike Championship at the moment is quite strong. It’s very competitive right now and the competitiveness of the paddock is quite high. There are a few egos out there, including myself, which is always a laugh. Along with that, everyone does kind of get along together, which is good. On top of that everyone has the same mindset to want to get overseas to go racing.

Who will win next year’s WorldSBK?

I’m going to say Nicky Hayden. Only because I’m a fan!

And MotoGP?

I believe Lorenzo will do it again and make it title number five.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’m a big, big NRL fan… I can’t get enough it!

First and Last

First bike?

First bike was an Italjet 50cc. It was old school!

First proper injury?

In 2005 I cut the main artery in my right leg. I was riding with friends on a 50cc and went over the bars and the bike stopped on the lip and the throttle tube went into my leg and ripped everything out.

First time you got in a fight?

The first time I met my brother [laughs].

Last holiday?

Las Vegas in 2014.

Last big crash you had?

Round five this year at Wakefield Park in race three. That was pretty big.

One or the Other

Faster circuits or more technical circuits?

I’m almost in between. I would say more technical circuits.

Monster or Red Bull?

Neither. If I had to choose, I would pick Red Bull.

PC or Mac?

Mac!

McDonalds or KFC?

McDonalds.

MotoGP or WorldSBK?

MotoGP. It’s the pinnacle of our sport.

Print or digital magazines?

I’m old school, so I’m going to have to say print.

Blonde or brunette?

Anything for me. They are both good enough.