Photo: Ben Henderson/MotoRaceReports

Photo: Ben Henderson/MotoRaceReports

Photo: Sports-Photography.org

Photo: Sports-Photography.org

Photo: Ducati MotoGP Team

Photo Credit: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports

Photo Credit: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports

Marco Melandri (Photo Credit: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports)

Photo Credit: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports

Photo: Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports

World Superbike - Donington 2011

Photo Credit: Alex Briggs: Ducati MotoGP Team

Click on image to download in high resolution

]]> http://www.motoracereports.com/3435/photo-of-the-day.html/feed 0 http://www.motoracereports.com/9911/interview-kyle-ryde-story-of-a-talented-young-rider.html http://www.motoracereports.com/9911/interview-kyle-ryde-story-of-a-talented-young-rider.html#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:59:23 +0000 Gaelle http://www.motoracereports.com/?p=9911 Kyle Ryde and his dad invited me for a chat under the camping awning / makeshift garage where it was clear the youngster is getting a lot of support from his whole family, from his little sister to his mum.

Sean Ryde (Kyle’s Dad) also explained how the whole community near their Nottinghamshire town rallies around Kyle and participates in regular events to keep raising money for his racing career to continue.

In 2010, Kyle Ryde started racing in the 125cc British Superbike Championship.

At Knockhill earlier this year, he joined the likes of Casey Stoner, Leon Haslam and Chaz Davies, becoming the youngest rider ever to win a British 125cc Championship road race.

Kyle Ryde is also competing all around the world this year in the MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Championship.

Being in 2 different championships means that Kyle often races in the Redbull Rookies on the Saturday then flies back to the UK to join a British 125GP round, without a chance to participe in the Qualifying session and having to start at the back of the grid. It is a demanding schedule for a teenager!

I interviewed Kyle at Brands Hatch before he got another brilliant victory, placing him just 11 points behind the current British 125GP championship leader.

Kyle Ryde is a British talent to watch out!

Photos: Ben Henderson for MotoRaceReports. Click on each picture for bigger size.

Kyle on track at Brands Hatch

Hello Kyle! First, please introduce yourself and tell us how long have you been racing?

I just turned 14 two weeks ago. I’ve been racing since I was 5 so for 9 years now.

So you are competing in the British 125GP Championship as well as the Redbull Rookies Cup. You must have a very busy time schedule!

Yes. It’s not very often we have a weekend off. Most weekends it’s all about flying, qualifying, racing.

I still go to school. If I miss a couple of days, I have to catch up by going after school.
It was hard at the start. I didn’t like it. But it gets easier.
I’m used to it now and it is a lot better.

Kyle while his bike is getting prepped

And what are your plans for next year?

Next year, I hope to be riding Ryan’s bike again because you have to be a certain age to ride a bigger bike and the 125 is only the one I can ride next year. So hopefully I can ride Ryan’s bike again because I really like it.

It’s very hard for riders to make it as it is an expensive sport. I see your whole family is here with you.
How do you all manage?

We have a lot of small sponsors who help.
My Mum created Team 77 for people who would like to help me a little bit.
You donate £77 for the year. We’ve got it on the back of our van and on my website too.
We have some very good people supporting us.
We’ve raised about £1000 this year so far.

To help Kyle and read about the Team 77, please visit: http://www.kyleryderacing.co.uk/team-77

Sean Ryde, Kyle's dad and mentor

Who is your favourite rider?

My favourite rider at top level is Dani Pedrosa.
His style is very good and the way he rides that bike, considering how small he is…
I think he is better than all the rest of them!

And have you met Dani?

Yes, I have because he is sponsored by Redbull, just like me.
So we’ve been out for dinner a couple of times with the team which is nice.

Kyle before the race

Do you have any tips for young people of your age who would like to get into motorcycle racing?

When I started, all I used to do was take my mini-moto out in fields, just to get used to it.
Then attend small club meetings on very small tracks. Just ride and get a good feel for it.

But if you are my age, around 14, and you’ve never been on a bike, the main option is probably to go on an Aprilia 125 and go from there. It is harder when you start later.

You can read more about Kyle Ryde at: http://www.kyleryderacing.co.uk/

Kyle and his dad off to join the grid

Kyle with his trophy, winner at Brands Hatch

Thank you especially to The Motorpoint Yamaha Team for inviting me in their garage to share the experience.

Ben Henderson was trackside too.

This is our first gallery. More photos to be posted later!

Kyle Ryde - British 125GP winner - Photo: Ben Henderson

Winning Ryde! - Photo: Ben Henderson

Michael Laverty in the paddock - Photo: Gaelle

Hopkins' tyre after Warm up crash - Photo: Gaelle

Work at the back of Walker's garage - Photo: Gaelle

Alex Lowes in the paddock - Photo: Gaelle

Kawasaki repair - Photo: Gaelle

Kawasaki stripped - Photo: Gaelle

Michael Rutter in the paddock - Photo: Gaelle

James Westmoreland signing photos during pitwalk - Photo: Gaelle

Motorpoint Yamaha prep before BSB Race1 - Photo: Gaelle

Pitwalk time - view from the back of Motorpoint Yamaha garage - Photo: Gaelle

Motorpoint Yamaha group shot - Photo: Gaelle

Back of Patric Muff's leathers - Photo: Gaelle

Motorpoint Yamaha lady at work - Photo: Gaelle

Westy waiting to rejoin Race 1 after coming in to change tyres - Photo: Gaelle

Westy rejoins Race 1 with a determined look - Photo: Gaelle

Sam Lowes keeps an eye on brother Alex during BSB Race 1 - Photo: Gaelle

WSBK rider Leon Haslam visits Brands Hatch - Photo: Gaelle

Elena Myers’ win at Infineon Raceway in 2010 made her the first female motorcycle racer to win a AMA Pro race in the 76 year history of the AMA.

“I Superbiker” documents the highs and lows of riders and their families throughout the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

It was also inspired by and dedicated to the “Silver Dream Racer” film starring David Essex in the 80s.

The original “Silver Dream” race bike was re-assembled in 6 weeks in Germany and brought in for the film premiere in London.

David Essex with the Silver Dream bike

The big event was attended by David Essex himself and all the main riders featured in “I Superbiker”: Tommy Hill, Josh Brookes, Gary Mason and James Ellison.

Tommy Hill and James Ellison

The riders and David Essex

Reigning British Superbike champion Ryuichi Kiyonari also made an appearance, having just flown back from testing in Spain.

“I Superbiker” was produced on a tight budget by Mark Sloper who should really take credit for trying to promote the British Superbike championship.
He has done a great job at showing the rollercoaster ride of emotions everyone involved goes through during the season.

The tone is set from the start, with Tommy Hill talking about Josh Brookes, declaring: “We do not want an Australian winning the British title.”
Ironically enough, a Japanese rider ended up winning the championship… Nobody raised that issue…
The old British/Australian rivalry lives on!

I managed to catch up with Josh Brookes at the after party and for the record, he is a nice guy. Don’t let it fool you!
The man is a racer. He wants to win races. That’s what professional racers do.

Josh explained Europe was the only place for him to come to in order to race with the best and further his career.
The British Superbike championship is the first logical step to working his way towards World Superbike and maybe, one day, MotoGP.

Josh Brookes

The 2010 season was full of twists and turns: injuries, crashes, mechanical issues… “I Superbiker” is a great reminder of how exciting and nailbiting the whole thing was, right until the last race.

“I Superbiker” shares the passion as well as the emotional, physical and financial struggles the riders and their relatives go through all year around. Because of this, I personally think anyone would identify with the story told.

You can go and see “I Superbiker” on Monday 14th March only, at the following locations: LINK

If you have never followed the British Superbike championship before, the season starts in April. Give it a try! You can find more information on the official website HERE

Visit the “I Superbiker official site HERE

David Essex signs the bike for the proud owner

Introduction by James Whitham with everyone on stage

Reigning BSB champion, Ryuichi Kiyonari

Big Ed at the after party

Report and photos by Gaelle Henderson (Moto Race Reports)