McPint on Christmas cheer!
They cancelled the TT – but they’re not cancelling John’s Xmas!
Christmas is a massive part of the year and such a special time for myself and a lot of us in the sport because we’ve got kids. There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year but finally with the vaccine coming there is at least some positivity in the air. Road racing this year didn’t go to plan with the cancellation of the NW200 and the TT, so I can only judge myself on the last time I got my leg over a Superbike, which was in 2019. I did nearly a 121mph lap on the electric bike,
‘I’d like to think that 2021 is going to be a lot better for everyone’
plus I had a front row start first time out riding Birdy’s BSB Ducati at Macau. That saved my career and showed there was still life in the old man. It meant I did the deal and signed for Bournemouth Kawasaki, which feels such a good fit – now all I need is the opportunity to race it!
I’ve enjoyed racing in the Ducati Cup and I’ve got stronger as the year’s gone on. I’m more bike fit and I’ve learned a lot about running a small team. I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure if people wonder why ‘that silly old t**t is racing that’, but when I put down my visor I feel 28, not 48.
My family have been involved; son Euan on the spanners and pitboard duty so it’s been good. I’m proud of our little set-up. Getting it all sorted, and heading to Brands is not like catching the ferry to the TT, but we still got to load up the camper and head to a track which has to be good considering everything.
All in all for the shite year we’ve had, we’ve managed to pull a few things out of the hat and I’d like to think 2021 is going to be a lot better for everyone. Wishing you all a great Christmas!