‘Euros will help fans get back’
I’ve got just back from Donington WSB as we raced the opening round of Ducati Tri-Option there. The track looked mega, the grass was cut beautifully in stripes, the kerbs had all been painted and there was a crowd there waving Johnny Rea and Scott Redding flags. It felt like a proper event, a proper meeting. I got to see lots of people I hadn’t seen for a while and it just felt right to be there and for us all to be back racing.
We had some fans, but the best thing about all this football that’s going on is that the crowd is in, because that means if they get away with it without causing infections, we’ll be able to get the crowds back properly too. Motorbike racing was always going to be the bottom of the list. To us it’s everything but to the Government and the layman on the street we’re at the bottom of the pile. I hate it that somebody got priority and it wasn’t us – it was football, but ultimately it will help us get back to normal. We’ve got used to racing without a crowd, but it felt so much better to be racing with one. There was a bar in the paddock, music and everyone was playing by the rules.
The WSB races themselves were ok, but I was watching Toprak in the final race and it was mesmerising. The control, the backing in, the aggression and the confidence he showed is absolutely incredible. No wonder he is in demand.
In terms of my races I got two sevenths and ticked all the boxes. It was my first race in my 31st season of racing and it felt as good as it’s ever felt. I had some good battles and brought it back safe. My target was Chris Walker and I could see him all race, but couldn’t get to him. I used to look up to Chris racing in WSB, 500GPs and he’s a much better short circuit rider than I ever was. But he’s still my target!
‘If footie gets away with it we’ll be ok’