Christian Iddon born to race

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

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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 presents 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.

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

TROPHY CABINET I’LL NEVER FORGET THE FEELING OF WINNING MY FIRST RACE. IT’S NEVER LEFT - JUST GOT STRONGER!

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

British Superbike points scorer in my first ever race

World Supersport points scorer Nurburgring 2010

14 x British Supersport podiums 2 x British Supersport wins 2012 Assen and 2012 Silverstone

2 outright lap records Knockhill and Assen

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SETTING THE BIKE UP FOR DRUIDS AT OULTON PARK. LOOKS EASY, BUT THE HIGH SPEED DOUBLE APEX HAS CAUGHT MANY WORLD CHAMPIONS OUT IN THE PAST.

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.

11. Seeing the likes of Bomber Harris do well at the TT, have you any thought of racing the roads? I love the idea of racing the roads. At the moment it is certainly something I’m looking at but perhaps not for a couple of years yet 12. This game isn’t cheap and it’s known that many bike names have to pay for their ride so how do you cope? It’s always difficult, as I said before, I came from a nice paid job of racing bikes and left it to find my way in something new. Finding sponsorship is never easy but that said I have so far been very lucky. I have a couple of loyal sponsors who are simply the most incredible people you could meet and make it all possible!

13. In a tight economic climate how are you able to attract sponsors?

BSB is a huge billboard. Sponsors obviously enjoy the huge crowd turnouts and the live TV coverage but it’s not all about that. I can offer my sponsors hospitality and the chance to get right in on the action where no others can.

Some of them also just love to be able to help someone out. As I said, they are incredible people.

14. Have you ever thought of what you might do when you decide to hang up the leathers?

I never think about that. At the moment I am focussing on my racing career. I will worry about that when it comes around.

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!

LIFE IN THE LID GETTING TO KNOW CHRISTAIN

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

CHRISTIAN

IDDON BORN TO RACE

For more information, check out:

@christianiddon www.christianiddon.com www.youtube.com/christianiddon