Features 4 Jun 2013

Unplugged: Glenn Allerton

Find out more about the two-time ASBK champ.

CycleOnline catches up with current Australian Superbike Championship points leader Glenn Allerton for our newest edition of Unplugged.

Greatest moment of your career?
Probably winning my first Australian Superbike Championship in 2008 at Eastern Creek in the final race. I didn’t even win the race – I finished third – but I had a big battle with Jamie Stauffer and it was between me and him to win the championship. It basically came down to the last race of the whole year, whoever finished in front of the other one would be champion. We battled the whole race long and I managed to beat him and clinch the championship.

Toughest race ever?
The World Superbike round at Phillip Island – the distance of the race and the level of competition is something I’ve never experienced before and I really enjoyed the moment.

Long-term goal?
I’ve got some long-term goals that I’ve had for a long time. Getting to race World Superbike was definitely one of them. My goal is to be there full-time and hopefully try to win a world championship. There’s a lot of work between now and then and I’ll just keep ticking the boxes in order to get there.

Favourite track?
I’d say my favourite track would be Eastern Creek. Laguna Seca would have to be the most exciting track I’ve ever ridden, and very closely behind is Brands Hatch. They’re both very undulating circuits, with ups and downs and cambered corners and just a blast to ride.

Glenn Allerton rates his World Superbike ride at Phillip Island this year as the toughest race of his career. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Glenn Allerton rates his World Superbike ride at Phillip Island this year as the toughest race of his career. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?
When I was a kid I wanted to be an aircraft mechanic, so I think if I never went racing I would have gotten into aeronautical engineering. I really enjoy the physics of how an airplay works and it interests me a lot. I’m jealous of Dan Stauffer!

Arch-rival?
I’d have to say that Wayne Maxwell would be my closest rival, and going off the first round results you have to say that he’s the one that will be right up there. I’ve been racing against these guys long enough that I don’t really put too much thought towards them any more, I’m just totally focused on what I’m doing and getting the best out of myself.

Greatest inspiration?
Mick Doohan. His story is very similar to mine in a lot of ways. I came back from a pretty bad leg injury – his was probably worse than mine – but we’ve both been through that. And actually coming back stronger and faster. I just admired him when I was a kid. The guy was a great champion, an Aussie icon.

Superstitions?
Yeah I like to put everything on the right side first. So my right sock goes on first, my right boot, my right leg goes into my leathers first, my right arm in first, my right glove on first. Everything’s got to go right.

Training methods?
I do a bit of everything but lately I’ve been getting into boxing training and strength work. It incorporates the upper body and core. I’ve changed my training routine up a lot this year and am really reaping the benefits of the boxing training.

Off The Wall

Non-bike related hobbies?
I really enjoy training, any training at all, but I love mountain biking and also like playing squash. I play in a squash comp and have done for the last 10 years. It’s a very challenging sport, especially when you play against people who play on a regular basis. You need good reflexes and it’s mentally challenging, too.

What car do you drive?
A BMW X5

Favourite magazine?
Men’s Health

What’s on the iPod?
Bit of everything, I like Birds of Tokyo’s latest album at the moment.

Best thing about the Aust Superbike Championship?
Racing with the V8 Supercars is probably the best thing. When I was a kid the first time I saw a Superbike race was actually at a V8 Supercar round, a 2+4, at Oran Park. It’s something I can still remember. And to ride in front of a big crowd like that is great and something we need to do more of.

Allerton has his sights set on a full-time ride in World Superbike in years to come. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Allerton has his sights set on a full-time ride in World Superbike in years to come. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Who will win the World Supers?
I’d like to say that one of the BMW guys could win it, but on current form I think the battle is probably going to be between Sylvain Guintoli and Tom Sykes. Sykes has the form, but Guintoli is calm and just gets the job done.

And MotoGP?
That’s a tough one. You’ve got a young guy like [Marc] Marquez and also [Dani] Pedrosa has a point to prove because he’s never been world champion. And after seeing [Jorge] Lorenzo the other night at the Italian GP you can’t question that the guy is rock solid. He’s not a two-time champion for no reason. I really can’t pick it – I’d love to see Marquez win it because that would be great but it’s hard to tell. Probably Lorenzo just on consistency.

One or the Other

Longer, faster circuits or shorter, more technical circuits?
Shorter and more technical definitely is more of my style

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?
Red Bull. I really like the Red Bull F1 team so that’s my pick.

PC or Mac?
Probably PC. I’d love a Mac though.

McDonalds or KFC?
Neither

Europe or USA?
Europe

600 or 1000?
1000

MotoGP or World Superbikes?
World Supers

Print or Digital (iPad) magazines?
Digital

Blonde or brunette?
Blonde

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