From a pushchair to a motorcycle

British Motorcycle Champion, Thomas Strudwick, 17. How did you get started?

My family has always been into bikes and I began at just five years old – I went from a pushchair to a bike.

I started on a 50cc KTM motocross bike, but after a few years’ racing on the dirt tracks I wanted to try tarmac.

I entered my first Mini Moto race in 2011 and loved it. The following year, I went into the British Metrakit Minigp 50cc motorcycle championship.

By the end of the season, I had won my first national race. In 2014, I won my first British Championship.

What are your most memorable motorcycling highlights?

When I progressed into the British Superbike Championship, I raced in the Santander KTM British Junior Cup. Leading the British Championship, I was invited to compete as a wildcard rider in the European Moriwaki 250 Championship at Brands Hatch. Involved in a collision in the second race, I missed the next three rounds of the KTM cup, but returned to the final round of the season and won my first race back!

Moving to Grand Prix motorcycles on a Honda Moto3 standard class bike, the following season I was selected by the Case Moto Rapido Ducati BSB Superbike team and finished the season in third place. I was also invited to the British Talent Cup selection event at the British Grand Prix and was accepted for the inaugural season of the British Talent Cup in 2018.

What qualities does your sport demand?

Discipline, focus and the ability to be in complete control of your bike. Situations change rapidly and you need to be able to analyse those changes and respond to them really quickly.

What’s a typical week for you?

Race preparations usually start on Tuesdays. Thursday is media day, Friday practice, Saturday qualify and then Sunday warm-up and the feature race. I travel a lot to races and, because I train a lot in Valencia, I’m often travelling to Spain.

You need to be super-fit then?

Yes, physically and mentally. I do a lot of road cycling around Goodwood and Chichester, which really helps.

What’s the big goal?

To race in the MOTOGPTM World Championship. Longterm, I’d like to make it a professional career, but I’m taking my ‘A’ Levels so I have a back-up plan of some sort of sports management.

Do you carry a talisman or perhaps wear lucky pants when you race?

No to the lucky pants! I do wear a Saint Christopher, but that’s more for my family. There are certain things that I do before a race, but mostly I prepare by eating a balanced diet and making sure I’m fit.

What would you say to youngsters interested in motorcycling?

Always do it properly and safely. That is really important. Don’t just go off riding around carparks. Visit www.fabracing.co.uk/startracing for more information.

A West Sussex boy born and bred, where can we find out more about you?

At my website, www. thomasstrudwick.com.