MotoGP news
McWilliams proud of MotoGP status
05 March 2007Ilmor rider Jeremy McWilliams says even he is surprised to be still racing at the ripe age of 42. McWilliams will be the oldest rider when the MotoGP season kicks off this weekend in Qatar. He is also the only participant from the British Isles and proud to be flying the flag.
"We've got some great youngsters coming along like Bradley Smith and Eugene Laverty. Maybe one day I'll not have to hold up the mantle," he told BBC Sport.
"But it's something I really want to do and my heart's in it 110%."
It has not all been plain sailing for the Northern Irishman who suffered a serious crash in November and had to deal with potentially career-threatening injuries.
"I lost a finger, broke my collarbone, some ribs and my femur," he said.
"I had to have the operation totally redone when I got back from Spain, which set me back about four weeks. Since then I've been spending up to two hours a day in physio every day."
"It's not the ideal way to start, but there's nothing I can do about it. This season starts earlier than ever. Last time I raced in MotoGP it started in April, which would have been ideal for me this year."
Moreover, McWilliams feels that, despite the technical expertise of ex-Formula One engine designer Mario Illien on board, Ilmor is behind other teams in terms of progress with the new 800cc engines.
"The major manufacturers' new 800s have quite quickly got faster than the 990s, which is a surprise to even the riders," he said.
"We're not quite sure how that's happening, so we haven't got the advantage we thought we had.
"I think it's great for the championship that everyone's so close but it does make our job more difficult."
more news
- 21 Nov.
- 20 Nov.
- 04 Nov.
- 28 Oct.
- 27 Oct.
- 26 Oct.
- 25 Oct.
- 24 Oct.
- 23 Oct.
- 19 Oct.
- 18 Oct.
- 17 Oct.
- 13 Oct.
- 05 Oct.
- 04 Oct.
- 03 Oct.
- 02 Oct.
- 28 Sep.
Homepage
Jerez
