‘The wings are phenomenal’
FHO Racing’s Peter Hickman
The BMW now has wings – what are your initial thoughts on the change? The difference they make is quite surprising. I was sceptical before I rode it with regards to how much of a difference they actually make. Genuinely, you roll out of pitlane and you can tell, even at that speed, you can tell, which is quite phenomenal. The extra anti-wheelie we now have is so much better. That’s an advantage that some of the other manufacturers have had for a year or two, but we have it now as well. The engine is really strong too, which is good, especially with me being one of the bigger riders – I always need more horsepower. The new bike seemed to work pretty much straight out of the box.
The TT is cancelled. Does this help you in BSB as your focus is solely on the series?
Honestly, I never really worry about the TT. If anything, it has the opposite effect; the more riding I do, the faster I get. Something that I’ve concentrated on this year, with their being no road racing, is ensuring that I get out on my own bike. I have an S1000RR Superstock bike, so I’ve been doing plenty of days on that, I’ve been over to Spain and done my own private training days. I’ve really put a lot of effort into myself to make sure that I’ve been riding as much as possible.
People are saying you’re in the best shape of your career…
I’ve been concentrating on myself a little bit more; on what I can do to improve in myself to help my results, not only for the team, but for me. I’m training more, I’ve been doing a lot of cycling, I’ve looked at my diet a bit; I’ve changed it quite a lot which isn’t something I’ve never really been into because, well, I like food!
But I needed to cut some weight to be able to give myself the best possible opportunity. Ultimately, I’m one of the taller riders which means I’m heavier. This is always going to be a disadvantage. Whether the smaller riders want to believe it or not, it’s a disadvantage. Our bikes will always be slower in a straight line, they’re always going to accelerate slower and be harder to stop. But I’ve lost nearly 15kg from the start of the year, which is over two stone. I’m pretty much where I need to be now.
‘I’ve lost nearly 15kg since the start of 2021’