Damien's Story

I have always loved motorcycles and decided to go racing some years ago, in my very first year on track I finished second in the Novice Championship, the following year I signed for a local team to ride an R1 Superbike, pre season I had a Motor-cross accident resulting in ACL and PCL ligament rupture, including breaking my Tibia, the doctor said it would be at least 1 year before I rode again, 3 months later I was testing the bike, my team told me that in my first race I should just try to be top 10, I went out and won the first 6 races of the season which was amazing, I ended up runner up in the NGRCC power bike championship and also the open championship against much more experienced riders.

Leaving the team at the end of that season, I decided to go with my father and race in the British Superbike Championship in the Super-stock Cup, this was a big jump in competition, we started pretty well but lack of experience with set up and the track knowledge showed and our results were up and down.  The following year I remained on the Suzuki and our results got better as the year progressed, consistently challenging for top 10 positions.  Unfortunately due to finances and issues out of my control, at the end of the season I was forced to retire from motorcycle racing, leaving the sport I dreamt of being my career, so early and at a young age was very hard to take. it had been a dream to race Superbikes and in a short time we had really grown but unfortunately I had to walk away.

I decided I would never race again but I could never get it out of my system, in 2019 and some 10 years since I rode, I decided to buy a track bike, I had always loved the look and sound of the Aprilia RSV4 and managed to buy a 2011 RSV4 Factory, my first day was at Donington Park GP circuit, as soon as I got on the bike and rode the first couple of laps I fell in love.

Instantly I could feel just how good the bike was and the feedback from the chassis was incredible, I instantly gelled with the RSV4 and as the year went on we were getting faster and more comfortable with the bike, so we decided to once again go racing. As the 2011 bike was a bit under powered compared to the new Superbikes,  We decided to purchase the 2020 RSV4 1100 Factory in January and started our testing in Cartagena In the February, unfortunately with the very sad situation of the Covid pandemic, things were cut short so I couldn’t really get much set up time with the bike, at the end of 2020 I did a couple of rounds with No Limits racing Championship but I struggled and unfortunately we were off the pace, placing around the top 10 with a best result of 6th at Donington at the end of the season

Through the winter I trained harder and prepared better than ever for the 2021 season, the first race weekend was at again Donington park National in the No Limits Cup 1000 championship, I took Pole Position, Fastest lap and won all 4 races, it was a truly great start to the season and the bike was incredible, as the season progressed we went from strength to strength with the bike, even going to tracks I had never ridden before we still managed to find a good setting with the Aprilia,  eventually winning the championship back at Donington park GP in August 2021, our season consisted of 17 race wins, 3 x 2nd places, 1 x 3rd place and 1 x 4th, winning the title with one round to go, the bike has performed incredible every weekend, through every condition you could imagine, I cannot compliment Aprilia enough for the bike they have built and for all the help they have given me over this season.  

I must also thank Maxton Suspension for helping me with my suspension, also Ian Newton from In-Competition for all the help, advice and support over this past season, also Jon at Bikersworld EG for the help with the preparation on our bike.

We are now looking to build on our 2021 success and experience with the Aprilia, by moving into the Pirelli Super Series.