H
I EUGENE – HOW HAS your off-season
been this year? What do you normally get
up to during the winter months?
I enjoyed the off-season following a great 2013. My
move to Suzuki was quite a big change and I began
testing in November before the testing ban kicked
in. During December I focused on my training to get
strong again and build a good base fitness ahead of
the new season. This year we also managed to get a
family skiing holiday in which was fantastic. Looking
back on it we were quite civilised on the slopes
compared to when we were teenagers! We all used to
just race from the top of the mountain to the bottom
and that was never safe, this time we’d matured
somewhat (laughs).
You recently moved to Monaco. How are you
enjoying your new life in the principality?
Yeah I enjoy Monaco, it’s a relaxed way of life and
every day we cycle to Italy for a nice coffee before
returning. It’s not so stressful!
Did the decision to move have anything to do with
the fine Irish weather we’re used to back home?
Yes it played a part for sure, training in the sunshine
makes it a lot more enjoyable and it means that I can
get the hours in without any difficulty.
For 2014 you have made the move from Aprilia to
race the Crescent Suzuki. What made you choose
the Suzuki over other manufacturers?
I have to thank our brother John for helping with
that decision. Last season I had to focus on myself
and my title rivals so I didn’t get to see much of the
Suzuki riders on track. John was watching trackside
all year and he was adamant that the Suzuki was
capable of much more. Both Suzukis finished outside
the top ten in the championship in 2013 so it was a
bold move but it sure has paid off.
The stats have shown a big improvement in your
performance since you took on your older brother
John as your manager / team liaison. Do you feel
this has been a big factor in your recent success?
John joined in 2013 and we fought for the World
Superbike Championship in our first season. It’s great
having John trackside with an expert pair of eyes and
it’s always good to speak between sessions and see
where we can work to improve.
64 | FreestyleXtreme
*To John* what’s it like working with Eugene?
Do you think it’s a big confidence boost for him
knowing that his big bro has got his back? How
have you found the transition going from rider to
manager?
Working with Eugene is interesting and rewarding.
Eugene gives 100% as an athlete in terms of his
training, but gives just as much attention to detail
in all the other aspects involved with racing which
makes him the complete package as a rider.
Every small detail will be covered both on and off the
track and every piece will be put together to make a
perfect jigsaw. This allows Eugene to process things
very easily while under pressure due to knowing he
has done his work and is prepared.
The quietly confident feeling is the best expression
to describe Eugene. When things are right winning
is always a foregone conclusion in Eugene’s mind
but surprises others who don’t really understand his
character. People wrongly look at his calm approach
and misinterpret it as a non-caring, not hungry to win
approach, when in actual fact his calm approach is
due to knowing his homework is done and with a bit
of Lady Luck the race win is in the bag.
In a way I suppose it is a confidence boost for
I
“ toreallyadidn’t expect
be in position to
win the first race ”
Eugene knowing that he can trust I have his best
interests at heart. Once again this describes another
part of the jigsaw which Eugene has put in place to
make the whole package work for him.
The transition from rider to manager has been good
and I don’t miss the racing side as much as I first
thought I would.
I do miss riding a bike as that part is always
enjoyable, but racing an uncompetitive bike for me
serves no purpose, and is like trying to win the Grand
National horse race when you’re riding a donkey.
I have already learnt a lot from being Eugene’s
manager and it is interesting how things happen and
how one person’s move or decisions can influence
the end goals of so many other people.
Every day you learn something new, some good,
some bad, but it lets you see the chess game you are
involved in and how things can get interesting and
out of your control at times.
The one thing I can tell you is that when contract time
comes around, you can expect to be on the phone
pretty much the entire day and don’t rule out the odd