MICHAEL SWEENEY - A FEW WORDS WITH A GREAT MOTORCYCLE ROAD RACER

How old were you when you learned to ride a bike? What is your family background as regards motorcycle racing?
I don't really have any family background in motorcycle racing and I didn't actually get on to a bike until I was 22 or 23 years old but my house when I was growing up was 2 minutes from Skerries so I watched road racing going on just outside my house from a very early age. Then a mate offered me a lend of a bike for a track day so I got straight onto a 600 and didn't look back. I applied for a road racing licence and as soon as that came back, after about a year, I started road racing and decided that was for me rather than circuits.
Why did you decide to start racing?
My first race was Cookstown and I was just caught up in the excitement and the buzz of racing straight away and love everything about it, the spectators lining the track, the anticipation, the skill required, all of it.
What is your training regime? Do you go to the gym, have a special diet? How much and where do you practice?
No the gym is certainly not for me, too boring, I just cycle my push bike everywhere and cover a lot of miles which keeps me fit and I really enjoy it as well which is a bonus. We go out to Spain for testing to ride the motorcycles and to practise, so we are very busy doing that out there before the race season begins.
Do you have any mental strategies to improve your performance or any superstitions before you race?
I have a couple of little superstitions but mostly no, I just get on with it and race.
What is your current race machine and how does it rate compared to all the bikes you have ridden? Do you have an all time favourite bike?
I am currently riding a BMW S1000RR which I rode last year and have decided to keep it for this year as I got fabulous results on it last year so it makes sense to ride it again for this race season. I also have a Yamaha R6 600 and this year an Ian Lougher Supertwin Paton which is great. Usually I have a new bike each year and I just like the one I can be quickest on!
What is your motivation for racing? Do you just race to win or challenge yourself against the track?
A I love everything about racing, I love getting ready to race, where else would you get that feeling of danger, excitiement and anticipation? I am also very competitive so I like the challenge of trying to win.
What does your team look like?
I'm part of a team of 5. I look after the bikes myself during the week Monday - Thursday, but when it comes to the race days the mechanics take over and look after them so that I can just concentrate on racing.
How do you feel before the race and does the TT pose any particular challenges over other races?
I feel excited and full of anticipation before races but the TT is something else - I'm awake at 3am before the TT thinking it all through and going round the track in my mind...
How do you feel about the cancellation of the NW200 and the Northern Irish road races this year?
Well I'm glad the Northern Irish races have got insurance now, that's a big relief and so important for motorcycle road racing in general, but the Southern Irish races are still awaing confirmation. It will be a disaster for racing if they let them go - a massive loss and it might not be easy to get them back once they're gone, so let's hope it gets sorted out and all given the go ahead soon.
How would you review your season last year and and what are your ambitions for this year?
Well last year I won the superbike championship which had been one of my ambitions. I'd always come second before but last year I won it! So basically I have acheived all my goals so now, in a way I can just go back to enjoying racing without that pressure. I'm still hungry to win but I have done what I wanted to now, so I can actually just enjoy it more without so much pressure.
Many thanks to Michael Sweeney for taking the time for a chat with us about his racing.
Have you ever been tempted to race the roads on a motorcycle? Or have you watched much road racing or been to the Isle of Man for the TT, if so do you have any TT tales or photos from years you've visited the island? If so, we'd love to hear and see them at: [email protected] or on Facebook.