- Date of birth - 03.06.86
- Place of birth - Ballymena, Northern Ireland
- Home town - Toomebridge, Northern Ireland
- Marital status - Single
- Height - 170cm
- Weight - 52kg
- Hair colour - Black
- Eye colour - Green/blue
- Hobbies - Going to the gym and swimming
- First race - Nutts Corner, March 2001
- First win - Mondello Park, 2001
- Favourite circuit - Jerez, Spain
- Best moment - Winning 2003 Oulton Park National Championship round
- Ambition - To be world champion
- Likes - Sleeping
- Dislikes - Crashing
- Favourite all-time rider - Neil Hodgson
- Most respected rival - Steven Neate
- Helmet - Arai
- Leathers - Spyke
- Gloves - Spyke
- Boots - Oxtar
- 2003 - 7th National 125cc Championship, 1st Oulton Park round
- 2002 - Champion of Champions winner, Sunflower Trophy Champion
- 2001 - 3rd Young Guns (Irish series)
Q. How does it feel to be part of a multiple-championship winning team?
A. It's good to know that I'm with a team that has already won championships. The team has the knowledge and experience to (hopefully) help me to win a championship too. I'm really looking forward to it.
Q. What do you think that you can bring to the team?
A. Determination. I think that's what made me stand out in the selection process. I always want to be at the top, week in, week out. I will always go for it, whether I need to or not. I'm not the kind of person to just sit back and let things happen around me. I am determined to win the 125 championship this season and progress onto Supersport next year.
Q. What are your realistic goals for the coming season?
A. I want to win the championship, win as many races as possible throughout the season and be consistent. I think I've got a good chance. I believe that with the right machinery I can be champion - and Honda Racing can provide me with that machinery.
Q. What do you hope to gain from your association with Red Bull Rookies Honda Racing?
A. I hope it will help me to get recognised as a serious, professional rider from Britain. I want people to notice me as a top rider and for me to become extremely competitive in a few years time.
Q. What does the Red Bull brand mean to you?
A. It's a brand that seems to be into all kinds of sport and motorsport. They seem to look after their riders - giving them leathers and protective gear and always providing drinks on the podium.
Q. How important do you feel the development of your talent is to the future of the sport?
A. Steve and I are young and talented. I think that's exactly what is needed at the moment to pave the way for the future. The Red Bull Rookies Honda Racing scheme is the perfect project. The British Superbike Championship at the moment is mostly made up of riders in their 30s and 40s who are at their peak. If you look at other countries the contenders seem to be between 20 and 30 and that's what needs to start happening in this country.
Q. What is your current training regime?
A. I go to the gym about three times a week for a general workout. I do mostly cardio-vascular work rather than actually building muscle. I also like swimming and I've started doing that more frequently to improve my fitness.
Q. What else do you like to do away from the race track?
A. I'm doing a National Diploma in Engineering. It's a college course that I attend during the week. I'm interested in the mechanical side of things but I wouldn't want to get too heavily involved. This just gives me an understanding of how the bike works and enables me to give the mechanics the feedback they need to make the bike right for me to win races.
Q. What is your ultimate racing ambition?
A. To be world champion. I'd like to reach that level of competition and remain there competitively for a few years before winning it. I think it's possible now. The projects coming out of Britain at the moment make it a lot easier for young talent to get to the top.
Q. How do you think the new Red Bull Rookies Honda Racing structure will help you to achieve your ambition?
A. By joining them this year means I'm not just a 125 rider. It's a three-tier structure, so I could be with the team for five or six years. I would hope to progress to British Superbike Championship level by my last season with the team, which would pave the way for me to enter competition on the world stage and eventually achieve my ultimate ambition.
Q. How well do you know your new team-mates?
A. Steve was my team-mate for all of last year so we already know each other pretty well and we're good friends. He's coming over in the New Year to visit and stay with me for a few days. It's good that we already know each other because we have a strong team spirit and can concentrate on the riding throughout the season.
This rider profile was kindly provided by Katie Holt, email; Katie.Holt@mpafingal.co.uk, or visit www.honda-racing.co.uk
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