Master Riders

MASTER RIDERS

The few, the fast, the kick ass

I used to think I was fast. Not real fast, like the Valentino Rossis and Mat Mladins of this world, but fast enough.

Master Bike changed that.

Going in, I knew I wasn’t going to be one of the front-runners. I was only there because CWs fleet-footed Road Test Editor Don Canet had a conflict with a supermoto race. And knowing the pains Don

has gone through in past Masters (a broken leg a few years ago, two crashes last year), I strongly suspected I wouldn’t make the final. But my goal soon changed to simply not wanting to be the slowest guy-or worse, to crash while being slowest! Mercifully, I was only slowest on some of the bikes, Motor Cycle News! Michael Neeves and I sharing that, uh, distinction.

Master Bike is truly world-class. This year’s event included three competitors from the previous weekend’s World Superbike races, and even one of the alleged “journalists” had competed in the GSX-R Cup race.

So yeah, I got smoked. But I got smoked by some of the most talented motorcycle riders in the world. -Brian Catterson

Oriol Fernandez, Motociclismo, Spain Racing experience: Three-time Spanish Supersport Champion 1998-2001 Age: 32 Occupation: Magazine test rider Favorite Master Bike: MV Agusta F41000 S

Oscar Peña, Motociclismo, Brazil Racing experience: Third place 1995 Spanish Supersport Championship Age: 32 Occupation: Magazine editor Favorite Master Bike: MV Agusta F4 1000 S

Markus Barth, Motorrad, Germany Racing experience: 1988 German Motocross Champion, 1999 German Supersport Champion, BMW BoxerCup winner, currently competes BMW PowerCup series Age: 32 Occupation: Motorcycle racer Favorite Master Bike: Suzuki GSX-R1000

Elio lori, Moto Sprint, Italy Racing experience: Third place 1991 Italian 125cc Championship Age: 37 Occupation: Policeman Favorite Master Bike: Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory

Kei Nashimoto, Motorcyclist, Japan Racing experience: Japanese NK4 Champion 1995-96, currently competes All-Japan Superbike Championship Age: 34 Occupation: Motorcycle racer and magazine test rider Favorite Master Bike: Honda CBR1000RR

Johan Stigefelt, Bike, Sweden Racing experience: 250cc and 500cc Grand Prix, Swedish 125cc Champion 1994~95, Scandinavian 250cc Champion 1996, currently runs own team in World Supersport Age: 28 Occupation: Motorcycle racer Favorite Master Bike: Suzuki GSX-R1 000

Michael Neeves, Motor Cycle News, England Racing experience: Former British Supersport and isle of Man TT competitor Age: 35 Occupation: Magazine editor Favorite Master Bike: Kawasaki ZX-10R

Zef Enault, Moto Journal, France Racing experience: Two seasons Honda CB500 Cup, three-time Le Mans 24-Hour competitor, currently competes Suzuki GSX-R Cup Age: 31 Occupation: Magazine editor Favorite Master Bike: Yamaha YZF-R1

Barry Veneman, KicXstart, Holland Racing experience: 500cc Grand Prix, two-time Dutch Supersport Champion 2002-03, currently competes World Supersport Age: 28 Occupation: Motorcycle racer Favorite Master Bike: Suzuki GSX-R1000

Atila Magna, Motor Revu, Hungary Racing experience: Top-10 finishes European and German 125cc Championships 2002-04 Age: 27 Occupation: Motorcycle racer and magazine test rider Favorite Master Bike: Yamaha YZF-R6

Nuno Oliveira, Motociclismo, Portugal Racing experience: Runner-up Portuguese 125, Supersport and Stocksport Championships 1996-2002 Age: 29 Occupation: Motorcycle shop owner Favorite Master Bike: Kawasaki ZX-6R

Arne Tode, PS, Germany Racing experience: German Supersport Championship, endurance racing Age: 19 Occupation: Motorcycle racer Favorite Master Bike: Kawasaki ZX-10R

Sam Maclachlan, Australian Motor Cycle News, Australia Racing experience: Australian Superstock and Naked Bike Championship, Australian Safari, Macau Grand Prix Age: 32 Occupation: Magazine editor Favorite Master Bike: Yamaha YZF-R6

Rolf Amman, Töff, Switzerland Racing experience: Swiss and European 125cc Championships 1987, Swiss 250cc Champion 1992, World Endurance Championship 1994-95 Age: 43 Occupation: Motorcycle courier Favorite Master Bike: Kawasaki ZX-6R

Brian Catterson, Cycle World, USA Racing experience: Two-time BMW Airheads Champion 2003-04, track-day instructor, amateur motocross and supermoto competitor Age: 43 Occupation: Magazine editor Favorite Master bike: MV Agusta F4 1000 S