Features 24 Jul 2018

Fast Thoughts: Tom Edwards

Australian WorldSSP300 contender on a number of topics.

Youthful Australian talent Tom Edwards has been displaying promising potential in his rookie Supersport 300 World Championship campaign, lodging a number of impressive performances in his first full-time season overseas. The Nutec Benjan Kawasaki rider recently returned home to Australia, so we tracked down the number 71 for this latest edition of Fast Thoughts.

Source: Supplied.

Racing full-time in WorldSSP300…

When I found out, it was pretty amazing. Going over there I kind of expected to use this year as a learning year – which it has been – but I expected to not really be competitive and just try my best to start with and improve through the year. I turned up and was fastest at testing and was straight on the pace, which surprised me, but I love the whole concept of the series and it’s good to be in it.

Leading at Assen on the final lap…

I didn’t actually want to be leading then – I was in second and old mate in front of me crashed, which put me in front. It was a pretty awesome feeling, but I thought I was going to get slipstreamed on the straight, so I picked up the gas a little too early and lost the rear. It was awesome though to be leading a world championship race.

The Nutec Benjan Kawasaki team…

It’s a really good team. The people in it are great and they do anything that they can for you. It’s really professional – I think it’s probably the most professional team in the series.

Source: Supplied.

Living and training overseas…

I like it – I’ve got a really good base in Holland now living with one of my mechanics from last year. I’m surrounded by good people, I’ve got an enduro bike I can go riding on and a gym to train at that’s not far away. It’s really good and the people are really helpful in Holland – we’ve got a nice community, so it’s good.

Being back in Australia…

It’s good weather at the moment, I mean it’s also starting to get good in Holland, but it’s nice to come and catch up with mum, dad and all the family. I can’t wait to get back over there and keep racing though.

Capturing a potential podium in the final rounds of WorldSSP300…

I’ve had a lot of bad luck this year – mainly at tracks I haven’t tested at. We’re going to be able to test at these last two, so I think I should be on the pace. In that group there are 15 people that could win it, so there’s always the chance and I think it’s definitely possible.

Recent