- Date of birth - 18.04.73
- Place of birth - Wordsley, West Midlands
- Home town - Kirkby Mallory
- Marital status - Girlfriend - Sandrine
- Height - 180cm
- Weight - 75 kg
- Hair colour - Brown
- Eye colour - Brown
- Hobbies - Skiing, football, mountain biking, anything fast and competitive
- Own car - Honda Accord
- Own motorcycle - Honda CBR600RR
- First road race - 1989 short circuit at Snetterton
- First BSB win - 1994 Donington Park
- Favourite circuit - Oulton Park
- Best moments - 3rd Superbike World Championship round at Brands Hatch 1997
- Ambition - To get back into GPs
- Likes - To win the championship
- Dislikes - Being beaten by my team-mate
- Favourite all-time rider - Kevin Schwantz
- Most respected rival - Anyone who tries to beat me
- Helmet - Shoei
- Leathers - Dainese
- Boots - Dainese
- Gloves - Dainese
- 2003 - 3rd British Superbike Championship, 1st North West 200, 1st Macau GP
- 2002 - 2nd British Superbike Championship, 1st Macau GP
- 2001 - 6th British Superbike Championship
- 2000 - 9th British Superbike Championship, 2nd IOM TT Formula One and Senior, 3rd IOM TT Production 1000, 1st Macau GP Formula One and Senior, 1st in three races at North West 200
- 1999 - World 500 GP Championship (best finish 11th)
- 1998 - 6th British Superbike Championship, 1st Macau GP, 1st North West 200, 1st IOM Junior TT
2nd IOM Formula One TT
- 1997 - 3rd British Superbike Championship, 3rd World Superbike race at Brands Hatch, 2nd IOM Formula One TT, 3rd IOM Junior TT
- 1996 - 4th British Superbike Championship, 1st North West 200, 3rd IOM Formula One TT
- 1995 - 5th British Superbike Championship
- 1994 - 6th British Superbike Championship
- 1993 - 7th British Superbike Championship
- 1992 - 3rd National 250GP Championship, First Superbike race
- 1991 - 3rd Superteen Championship
- 1990 - First race club race win at Cadwell Park
Questions and Answers
Q. How did you come to sign for Honda Racing in the British Superbike Championship?
A. I've been speaking to the management at Honda Racing for the last few months because I was interested in riding a four-cylinder bike again this year. Honda Racing presented the best package in my opinion.
Q. What are your expectations of the Honda Racing CBR1000RR?
A. I definitely have very high expectations of the bike. It's the reason I signed with Honda Racing. I think that four-cylinder bikes are on their way back as the best motorcycles to be riding. I have already tested it and I like what I have seen so far.
Q. What are your realistic objectives for the 2004 British Superbike Championship?
A. I want to go out there and win the championship, nothing else will really do. Our aim is to try to win.
Q. How much do you know about your Honda Racing team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari?
A. It was quite surprising to find out that he was my team-mate. I knew that he had been struggling in MotoGP so I didn't really know what to think until I saw him testing. The lad can definitely ride a bike and he was putting in some very fast lap times. I'm 100 per cent sure that he was the right choice.
Q. Do you think that you'll be able to help him with the obvious challenges he faces as a British Superbike rookie?
A. Yes, definitely. I think we can help him a lot by using our own experience, especially in his first sessions in the British Superbike Championship. The language barrier is the main thing that we will have to deal with. I'm sure that the racing will work out well for both of us.
Q. Who do you see as your other main rivals for the title?
A. Sean Emmett will definitely be a threat on the factory Ducati and John Reynolds proved himself again last year. There are a lot of people who have the potential to be up there. Kagayama also has a good chance if he is fit enough.
Q. What is your ultimate ambition and how do you think that Honda Racing can help you to realise it?
A. It is to get back into GPs. At the moment, anything that Honda sets its mind on doing bike-wise always works out right so I'm glad that I'm back with them this year.
Q. In what way do you think the recent changes in the Superbike World Championship will affect the British Championship this year?
A. I think it will have a big effect because no one is going to be looking at the world championship, or certainly not as much as they were. All eyes will be on the British Superbike Championship. I think that there are more factory bikes than ever before in the championship - so, it'll be one hell of a season.
Q. How do you think that you will adjust from a two-cylinder to a four-cylinder machine?
A. I don't think it will be too bad. Sometimes it's more difficult to go the other way from a four-cylinder to a two-cylinder. I'm not worried about the adjustment.
Q. Do you feel that Honda Racing will present you with your best opportunity of winning the British Superbike Championship to date?
A. Definitely, that's why I signed for them. I had offers from other teams but I think Honda Racing was the best opportunity available and I feel like I'm in a strong position.
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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