Читать книгу Foggy on Bikes - Carl Fogarty - Страница 6

‘I’ve always admired Carl as one of the world’s best motorcycle riders of the 1990s, regardless of whether you’re talking 500cc or superbikes. Carl won four World Superbike Championship titles and no one gets lucky four times. He worked hard, he had talent and determination, and he deserved all the success that came his way.

‘Our careers had a lot in common. Both of us won our first world championship in 1994, and we each had more than 50 race wins in our respective categories. Unfortunately we were also both forced out of the sport by injuries from crashes within a few months of each other.

‘So what makes a world champion? To be honest, there’s no secret recipe. Every rider is different and so much depends on your team, the support of the manufacturer you’re racing for, the level of competition, tyres, plus a slice of luck here and there.

‘I went to quite a few World Superbike races over the years and Carl seemed to have a good relationship with his team and Ducati. He also had a strong attitude, and the right level of self-confidence that you need to win – a bit like Eddie Lawson had when I first went into 500cc.

‘Sometimes both Carl and I were called ruthless when we were racing. What people don’t always understand is that on race weekends the main priority is getting yourself in the best possible position to go for the win on Sunday afternoon. Winning gives you the most satisfaction, and Carl did plenty of that.

‘Over the years I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked, by the British in particular, how I think Carl would have gone on a 500. I’m sure he would have been very competitive, but he had a good, longstanding relationship with Ducati in superbikes, like I had with Honda in 500cc, and he may have felt better off staying where he was. You spend years building up working relationships, and it’s a big risk going to another team, or category. That’s one of the reasons I stayed with Honda throughout my 500cc racing.

‘At the end of the day Carl didn’t have to race 500cc to prove he was a good motorcycle rider. He’d already done that in superbikes. He was a great champion and role model for young British riders. Above all, he was someone who knew how to win.’

Michael Doohan

Five-times 500cc World Champion