Features 22 Nov 2016

Unplugged: Robbie Menzies

Cube Racing Supersport racer answers a selection of off-track questions.

Transitioning from dirt-track to road, Cube Racing’s Robbie Menzies is a young talent from Queensland who completed this year’s Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) eighth in the Supersport category. CycleOnline.com.au recently caught up with him to ask a selection of off-track questions for this edition of Unplugged.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Moving from dirt-track to road racing would probably be one of the biggest things in my career, but winning the Australian long-track championship at Taree was one of best [moments].

Toughest race ever?

Troy Bayliss Classic – the best riders in the world are there, it’s a pretty big event and it’s had the biggest crowd that I’ve ever seen at an event.

Long-term goal?

It would be to carry on with road racing, hopefully I’ll be doing another in the Supersport class throughout the Australian Superbike Championship. Hopefully I can carry on with that and see where I go.

Favourite track?

Phillip Island, obviously it’s a world-class track, it’s really fast and just an awesome place.

Arch-rival?

It’s hard to say because we’re all so close, but I’m always trying to keep up with my teammate Callum (Spriggs) – he’s a big part of the team and has helped me along on my learning journey on the 600cc.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

I would just be doing my job I guess, I work at CNC machine shop – I think I would just be doing that.

Greatest inspiration?

I definitely look up to Troy [Bayliss], he has been a big part of my racing career as a whole.

Superstitions?

None that I can remember.

Training methods?

I train five days a week at Elev8 Health and Performance, and then I’m usually on the cycle bike on the weekends.

Off the Wall

Non bike-related hobbies?

If I’m not racing, I’m definitely trying to ride my bike as much as I can. Other than that, just hanging with mates, going to the beach and do a little bit of drifting – I’ve got a drift car, so I do a bit of that.

What car do you drive?

Toyota Hiace, the dirft car is just on the side – you can’t really drive that all the time.

What’s on the iPod?

A bit of everything, I don’t mind a bit of variety.

Best thing about racing in Australia?

Everyone gets along and once the race is over you can have a laugh – not everyone is out there to kill each other.

Who will win WorldSBK next year?

Chaz [Davies].

And MotoGP?

We’re all in it for [Jack] Miller – hopefully he can do it!

First and Last

First bike?

Honda QR50.

First proper injury?

My first ever race in the Ninja Production class – my first year of road racing – it was a collarbone.

First time you got in a fight?

I don’t think I’ve actually been in a fight before.

Last holiday?

Probably when I was about 12 – before I started working [laughs].

Last big crash you had?

Troy Bayliss Classic.

One or the Other

Faster circuits or more technical circuits?

Faster circuits.

Monster or Red Bull?

Red Bull.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

You can’t ask that [laughs], I’m more of a chicken man, so I’ll go with KFC.

MotoGP or WorldSBK?

MotoGP.

Print or digital magazines?

Digital.

Blonde or brunette?

I’d have to go with Blonde.

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