MATT LLEWELLYN
Matt, what are your general thoughts on this season?
I got of to a dream start with convincing wins both at Brands Hatch and Donington. The season went well up to Mallory where I did not finish and obviously I was very disappointed that I lost the championship.
I really started enjoying riding the bike immediately so it made it a lot easier to bear the pain after not going in to the Superbike championship….
Talking of that Matt, that leads me on to my next question…
The first round at Brands Hatch you had an outstanding win in the Superstocks, what were your emotions like given that you had had bad news a week prior that the team were unable to run in the British Superbike Championship?
All I can say is ‘it was tough!’ However, I knew that I had to get my head round the job and get on with it. I am a professional and always put on a good show and I did!
When Page 3.com launched themselves as the official sponsor with the team at Oulton Park what was it like been surrounded by beautiful Page 3 girls and being the envy of every male in the paddock?
It was mega for the team they definitely needed a sponsor and nobody could have wished for a bigger headline sponsor than Page 3.com. The whole launch was great fun and very ‘show bizzy’.
And the girls Matt?!!
They are great sports and really promote the whole team well, only problem I have is during the signings, I keep thinking that everyone has come for my autograph…not!
How did you feel, when at Mallory Park, you lost your bike at the ‘hairpin’ whilst in second place resulting in a ‘DNF’ (did not finish) thus losing your 13 point championship lead?
‘Just gutted,’ obviously it ruined my championship lead, prior to that round I was 13 points in front. Also Mallory is my local circuit, I have done so many laps round there I know it like the back of my hand. I had 2 laps and 20 points in the bag as Glen was quite a way behind me but then I go and dump it at the hairpin, but what people don’t know I had had 2 or 3 moments earlier in the race because of the brake problem.
What are your highpoints of the season?
Snetterton without a doubt!
Why?
I had been on a high with a couple of wins and several rostrum places and arrived at Snetterton and everything felt right. The bike was excellent; I set a very fast time during qualifying which then resulted in a pole position. I had not an easy but convincing race where I lead from start to finish; I’ve only done that a couple of times in my career.
And the low points?
Mallory Park and Donington. Mallory for the reasons I said before and Donington because I lost the championship and eventually wound up 3rd overall. I had always finished in the top 5 or higher so to finish 8th in my final race of the year was hard.
Need I ask why?!
No!!
At the last round of the championship at Donington Park in October you were on fine form all weekend and even when you lost the championship to your team mate David Jefferies you were still fairly upbeat (as much as you can be at that point!) were there any reasons for this?
No! I was gutted but that
is part of racing and I am a professional.
So Matt, what are you going to be doing over the winter months?
I have already started my training regime; to get me fit and in shape for next season including some Motorcross. I will start testing the Ducatis’ as soon as they arrive.
When will that be?
December.
Are you looking forward to next season?
Absolutely! This is my first proper stab at the British Superbike Championship. We’ve probably got the best bikes out there, I’ve got a great team behind me and I’m on a Ducati!! What more can I ask for?!!
Well, I could respond to several things to that question but I am going to wait till later!
What do you think of the all the rumours in the paddock at the moment about teams, whose riding where and so on?
Normal!! Neil is the only rider to be confirmed to be going to World Superbikes for next season but there is a good chance or should I say rumour that Chris and James will go as well, Niall has retired so it leaves the championship wide open for me to win.
Matt, you haven’t ridden in a full seasons British Superbike Championship since 1997, when you rode for Crescent Suzuki in their first year of competition, what do you think your chances are for 2001?
Definitely in the top 3 if not winning the Championship. It is great to have my ride secured before Christmas and to be getting the Ducati’s in December. It means that we can start putting the bike through it paces as soon it arrives. With Crescent we tested once abroad and once in this country in March. I have 3 to 4 months extra to get used to the bike and to get myself focused. We will also be testing a few times abroad which means I can top my tan up!
Is there a year that was particularly memorable to you, if so why?
1995. I was a privateer on a Ducati! I was responsible for my own destiny and did my own thing. I set all the bikes up myself, traveled from race to race as a very small operation and loved it! I kept winning races and NEVER finished lower than third all season!! I came second in the championship behind Steve Hislop.
But surely that is unusual Matt, that is a real feat is it not?
It is virtually unheard of for a privateer. This season you didn’t really see a privateer any higher than 10th in the BSB series
Are you pleased to have secured the ride with Page 3.com Ducati Racing with O2 Plus?
Absolutely! Winter is normally bad due to all the politics and getting a ride. This is my best chance for winning the championship for next season.
How different is it going to be riding the Ducati 996 RS to the Yamaha R1?
I’m good at adapting my style and learning quickly. I’ve got 3 months on nearly everyone else as I said earlier due to the Ducati’s turning up.
Matt, who do you confide in when you are racing?
At weekends it is definitely my Dad and my girlfriend Kirsty.
Do you confide in anyone else?
Yes. My best friend, Tim Walker. I talk to him a lot during the week.
As we just said your Dad Tony, and your girlfriend Kirsty, are always at the race meetings with you, do they help you psychologically?
Yes. My Dad has always come to all the rounds, and Kirsty has been coming for the last 5 years.
So they know you fairly well then Matt?!
Yes, very well. They know when to give me support and when to leave me alone!
Matt, are we going to be seeing Matt Llewellyn winning lots of races next season?
Yes you betcha!