2014 Christian Iddon 21 club

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

IDDON21

THERE’S NO HIDDING THE 9 X BRITISH SUPERMOTO CHAMPION, AS CHRISTIAN TACKLES THE MOUNTAIN AT CADWELL PARK DURING THE 2012 BSB SEASON.

We HAVE LIFT OFF “Racing is in the blood, you could say i was born to race .”

Growing up with my father, World Superbike rider, Paul Iddon and travelling the paddocks of the day, it was inevitable that I would continue to maintain the Iddon presence in the world of bike racing. I’ve grown up on a bike and racing is how I manage to get away from modern day worries. The moment those lights go out, I know exactly what is required.

I just feel at home on a bike. Even when the pace is frantic at the front you still feel in control.

TROPHY CABINET I’LL NEVER FORGET THE FEELING OF WINNING MY FIRST RACE. IT’S NEVER LEFT - JUST GOT STRONGER! Motocross British Youth Motocross Champion Supermoto 9 x times British Supermoto champion 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 *some years were multi class 8 Overall GP Wins Including GP of Italy in 2007 and GP of Greece in 2008 3rd overall in the World Supermoto Championship 2007 Road Racing British Superbike points scorer in my first ever race 14 x British Supersport podiums 2 x British Supersport wins 2012 Assen and 2012 Silverstone 2 outright lap records Knockhill and Assen World Supersport Podium in rookie season Magny Cours 2013 3 x Front row starts

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BY: Alex Gallemore, editor of sport & Fitness and old friend Growing up in the Peak District, Derbyshire, you needed to be able to drive a Land Rover and ride a motocross bike to earn any form of street cred. It’s a rural thing! Land Rovers we’re too expensive for many of the country folk, so a motocross bike was the weapon of choice. Small tracks sprung up in the most obscure parts of the countryside, mostly in a mates’ fields or an old quarry.

This is was when I first met Christian. Being in my early twenties and riding the local club scene I thought I was the business. My confidence on a high ... then he came along! I’ve been lapped a few times by elite riders but never by a 10-year-old. At that point, any dreams of moving up the racing racks plummeted and I just wanted to find out who the kid was and why he was so fast. Over a cheeky brew I ask Christian a few questions to hopefully give you an insight to just why he’s not normal when it come to handling two wheels.

ON THE GAS

GETTING TO KNOW CHRISTIAN

GETTING STARTED How did you first come to get on a bike and can your remember what it was?

I used to have a pocket bike with stabilisers. It had a pin in the throttle to stop me from going flat out!

2. What influence has your dad been? My Dad was a very successful racer in his day. He raced World Superbikes, Grand Prix and Isle of Man so he also has a lot of varied knowledge. As a kid I remember being in the paddocks and all throughout my childhood I was never away from bikes of some sort. Then when I started racing my Dad (along with the rest of my family) have always been right beside me. My Dad has taken on different roles throughout the time from mentor to mechanic and on to managing the way we go racing. He steps back when he has to and steps in when it’s needed. Not everyone has the family support I have and it’s really amazing.

SUPERMOTO What drew you to Supermoto?

When I was doing Motocross, the Supermoto scene was getting bigger and bigger. I had wanted to get into tarmac racing but didn’t have the money.

Supermoto was a perfect way to do that.

4. Having such an impressive Supermoto career why the change to BSB? Road racing was always the goal but things were going so well in Supermoto that the switch actually got delayed. When you start riding for Factory teams and winning all the championships it can be hard to move away. However, I left all that behind. I had my goals I want to achieve and I’m still intent on that!

BRITISH SUPRBIKE What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome making the switch a road / race bike?

The main difficulties was not really the riding itself, more of a shock was how the paddock works. It’s a very political atmosphere and we had to learn to play the game and also how important sponsorship is.

of it we were real front runners

In 2011 you ended the season well on the TAG Triumph but what turned things around for you? 2 2011 was a learning year for me and basically things went exactly as we had hoped. I started out the season learning the craft and by the end

Do you look at the superbikes and the likes of Brookes, Hill and Byrne and think you could mix it with them at the front?

I wouldn’t have come into road racing if I didn’t think I can be the best.

I left a nice job racing bikes to do this and all I

want is to win. Of course the Superbike lads are superb but I don’t see them as any better than us. Superbike class only broke 1 lap record this year. I think Supersport took about 7 We stepped it up big time. Of course there is a learning curve when you first get one but from then on it’s flat out racing all the way.

BRITISH SUPRBIKE 2012 was a great mid and end season for you and the supersport class arguably produced some of the best racing but how did the season play out for you?

I came into this season wanting to be the champion. That was the goal but early on luck and circumstance played a huge role and the championship soon became near on impossible.

The British Supersport this year has been incredible and the pace has been amazing. To have rounded out the year with 9 podiums in the last 12 races shows how strong we were.

We also took 2 wins and have 2 outright lap records out of the 10 circuits. No other rider has statistics like that!

World Supersport How much of a challenge was 2013 as a rookie in World Supersport?

Not only was it my rookie season, but I also had the task of developing the MV Agusta F3. We had no race settings so it was always a challenge, not only for myself but also for the team. The hard work paid off for us all as in the second half of the season things were starting to come together and we were fighting with the best in the world. It was great to get my first podium at world level in road racing and we were so close to collecting more silverware. Hopefully ‘lady luck’ will be a little kinder in 2014.

LIFE IN THE LID GETTING TO KNOW CHRISTIAN

Can you dance or sing?

Neither! I’m useless

Ski or beach holiday?

Ski, although I only ever tried it the once. I sucked but it was ace!

What do you listen to before going out on the grid? nothing I’m usually relaxed. I like the feeling of my ear plugs going in though. When it all goes quiet thats when I know something big is about to happen!

Best film you’ve seen?

Top gun, days of thunder, Gladiator or cars! all epic!

Who would be your leading lady?

Cheryl Cole without the accent

Larger or bitter?

Neither, I’ll have a fresh OJ please

Racing hero, can’t chose your dad, that’s cheating?

My hero’s come from motocross.

Ricky Johnson was the ultimate

Most prized trophy?

My first World championship race win from The GP of Italy in Supermoto

If you won the lottery what’s the first thing you’d buy?

A Motocross track

Best fancy dress costume?

Always like to dress up as a gangster, like old style in those american black and white films

Funniest thing you’ve witnessed racing My friend once wheelied across the line thinking he had won the race but there was still another lap left! He will never live that one down!

Who’s got the best nickname in BSB? I like Luca Scassa as the Rocker. I like it because he seems so quiet and it makes you wonder!

Porsche or Ferrari?

Ferrari F40 any day!

Porsche are ugly

MY TEAM, THE 2014 SEASON AND THE BIKE!

One spin-off of the newly formed long-term partnership between the legendary Bimota brand and Alstare – the most experienced team in World Superbikes - is the formation of Team BIMOTA ALSTARE RACING which will compete in the EVO class in this year’s World Superbike Championship on the formidable Bimota BB3. * Engineer Acquaviva and his team at Bimota’s headquarters in Rimini have taken the bullet-proof BMW engine and married it to a beautifully designed chassis – designed and built in their own workshops - together with high level components in all areas. The result is a stunning looking bike, but one that hides a powerful beast within.

It will be Alstare’s job to develop this bike, with Bimota’s full co-operation, and turn it into a race winner and bring success on track to both companies.

The team will attack the EVO class with two riders – Italian Ayrton Badovini and Briton Christian Iddon.

Ayrton is no stranger to Alstare, having ridden for them last year – in what proved to be a very challenging season. Now fully fit again, the Italian is comfortable with the team and ready to go to fight for glory right from the start.

Christian may well be new to the team, but there is a Bimota connection as his father rode a Bimota YB3 in the opening years of the championship. Christian comes from a successful background in motocross and supermoto and only switched to roadracing in 2008, but has begun to show his huge potential and is definitely one to watch for the future.

THE GLOBAL STAGE “Mixing it with the world’S elite has always been my goal .”

How does it feel to be linking up with a high end brand like Bimota and the manufacturer your father rode for 25 years ago?

It’s an amazing brand with a deep racing pedigree. To be able to put the historic number ‘21’, my father’s original race number, back on a factory racing Bimota is a dream come true for both of us.

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

YOUR SUPPORT IS NOW GOING GLOBAL! l WSBK Chanpionship had over 3,000 broadcast hours on TV l Cumulative audience of 498million l Broadcast in 175 countries over 98 channels l over 35 million hits to the official website l over 11 million views on the official world superbike youtube channel l average circuit attendance of 40,000 spectators per round

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SPONSORSHIP

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In these tough economic times I’m aware that sponsorship budgets and money all round is tighter than ever, which is why I’ve come up with my own personal formula to not only appreciate your support but to make things as flexible as possible. I’ve been building up to this moment to compete with the elite on the world stage and without you it would have remained a dream. Lets hope 2014 is another great season for us all.

Club

21

l Your logo and a dedicated information area on the sponsor’s page of Christian’s website. l Your logo on all sponsor information, press releases, posters and other merchandise where possible. l Receive a dedicated newsletter after each championship race. l Receive a signed Christian Iddon poster and other merchandise where available. l Free images supplied to you, available to use. (please request) l The free use of Christian’s image and name in positive advertising. l Prize draw to win 2 pairs of tickets to a WSBK meeting of your choice. l Prize draw to win 2 team hoodies and 2 team t-shirts.

£500

Club

21+

PRIME BRANDING POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO PLUS SPONSORS *IN ADDITION TO THE BENEFITS OF CLUB 21:

l l l l l

Shoulder/arm logo POA Side pod helmet sticker (both sides) POA Tear off tab POA Visor top stripe and complete visor (complete visor for pre and post race) POA Helmet Branding POA

PLUS SPONSORS also receive l Elevated branding on all press releases, videos and other media l Dedicated page on Christians website with extra info all about your business l Tickets and hospitality for 2 persons to unlimited number of rounds l At least 1 item of team wear (signed by the riders if required)

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

For more information, check out:

@christianiddon www.christianiddon.com www.youtube.com/christianiddon www.facebook.com/christianiddonracing I'd like to thank my sponsors, as without them i wouldn’t be able to race with the best on the world stage