Motorcycle racing enthusiasts will no doubt delight in seeing Chris Vermeulen back on two wheels in a competitive arena this weekend at the second annual Troy Bayliss Classic event at Taree.

Those that have followed Chris’ credentialed career have ridden both the highs and lows with this likeable Queenslander. A breakthrough season in the World Supersport ranks saw him take his first world championship crown in 2003, opening the door to the top-level World Superbike category where he campaigned for two successful seasons.

Finishing as high as second (2005), Vermeulen’s talent quickly gained the attention of the Suzuki Motor Corporation, which drafted him to its MotoGP effort where he fought capably towards the top end of the field for four consecutive seasons.

His win at a rain-sodden race in Le Mans in 2007 still rates as the 31-year-old’s most memorable career moment to date.

“Winning my only grand prix at Le Mans in France, 2007, is a definite standout moment,” Vermeulen told CycleOnline.com.au.

“I had great races on GP bikes, and probably races where I rode better, but to actually accomplish something like that, being Suzuki’s only grand prix winner in the four-stroke era, and beating everybody on the day, is very special for sure.”

Source: MotoGP.

A subsequent return to World Superbikes in 2010 had all the makings of a successful season, but the Aussie’s hopes were dashed in an awkward crash at Phillip Island, which would have longer term ramifications, ultimately ending a promising career.

“We had quite a break after that race and I’d never missed a race in my career so I tried to come back and continue thinking I’d be alright,” reflected Vermeulen. “But I couldn’t get my knee into position to bend enough to sit off the bike. I could just bend it, but couldn’t move around and definitely couldn’t race properly.

“I basically broke or tore every major ligament inside my knee, had some fractures down both bones, tore muscles and had no meniscus left.”

With cortisone injections proving a temporary and unsuccessful band-aid measure, Vermeulen made the call to undergo major surgery, with a six month non weight-bearing period and a total of nine months off the bike putting pay to his hopes.

“From then my mind was made up – it was time for me to move back to Australia and get on with my life doing something different,” he explained.

Vermeulen returned to the Sunshine Coast in 2012 and now lives just 15 minutes from his childhood home with wife Toni and his new daughter.

Knowing nothing but two wheels, the personable Vermeulen maintains an active involvement within the industry, lending his skills and experience where possible alongside his own business interests.

“I’m a non-active director of a business called MotoLife on the Sunshine Coast and up in Townsville in North Queensland,” he said. “That’s something that certainly keeps me involved in the industry, and I love being involved with motorbikes.

“I do a little bit of work for BMW Australia – test rides, and the GS and RR Experience, where people can test ride on tracks and off road – it’s good fun for me to be able to ride around and it’s cool to have people wanting to come out and ride with me.”

Source: BMW Motorrad Australia.

He also has a long-standing relationship as an ambassador to the MRRDA, a role he hopes to contribute more to as the championship takes a number of significant steps forward in 2014 and beyond.

“I’ve always tried to help but when I was overseas racing it was difficult,” he added. “Now that I’m back home I’m able to put a little bit more time in, and it’s great to be able to go there and give the kids a bit of advice.

“If I can guide them in what they want to get out of the sport, to have fun or go quicker, then that’s a good thing, and hopefully some of these guys will eventually make it to the very top level.”

Vermeulen leapt at the chance to be involved in last year’s inaugural Troy Bayliss Classic, and is itching to get going again this weekend as the event welcomes even more high-profile riders from a domestic and international level.

“I hadn’t raced on oil dirt since I was around 15 years old, and I had a really great time lining up with those guys last year,” he said. “This year will be really exciting. I haven’t done a lot of practice, I went out last weekend and had a ride on the oil again.

“There’s some American dirt trackers coming this year which will add to the competition, and realistically I’d just love to make that final and line up with them in the main.

“There were six or seven thousand spectators out there last year, and there’s even more support behind it this year, so I expect it will be another huge weekend and a great experience for fans of the sport.”