After years of track racing, the British rider was one of the strongest rookies at the 2022 TT: “You need a different approach when racing on the road, but the feeling it gives you is very special”
17.06.2022 ( Aggiornata il 17.06.2022 15:55 )
Of the riders taking part in this year’s Tourist Trophy for the first time, the most talked-about was definitely Glenn Irwin, already a winner of the North West 200 and Macau, who set the best ever time set by a newcomer during the Superbike race. But another rookie who made an impression during his first experience of the Mountain Course was Milo Ward, winner of the “Star of Tomorrow” trophy, in what was only his third ever road race.
Ward, who only became a road racer this year, taking part in the Cookstown 100 and the Tandragee 100 prior to the TT, talks to us exclusively about his debut experience in the world’s most famous road race, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R of the TC Racing team.
Ward: “I fell in love with the Mountain Course already on lap one”
How was your Tourist Trophy debut?
“It was just incredible, the TT is the ultimate bike race in my opinion. I love track racing, from MotoGP down to the minor classes, but racing on the road is extra special – the spectators are closer, the speeds are higher and the risk is greater. All this adds adrenaline to the experience and the feeling was incredible. On lap one, when I got to Bray Hill I was blown away but then after a few turns I fell in love and it all started to feel more normal, so I just focused on enjoying every moment”.
You’ve competed on track in recent seasons – what’s the biggest difference in your view?
“The biggest difference has to do with the mental approach. At the track, to be the best, you have to push to the max and brake as late as possible, taking risks that in most cases might only lead to an innocuous crash. But on the road, you have to try and relax and be as clean as possible in your riding in order to be fast without exaggerating or exceeding your limits.”
What part of the Mountain Course struck you most? And which was the scariest?
“For me, the best is definitely the section from Ballaugh Bridge to Sulby - there’s a first low-speed jump before you get to the village, and then you accelerate towards the incredible Ballacrye jump and the straight leading on to Quarry Bends, where you need to be quick to move the bike from one side of the track to the other to carry as much speed as possible. The scariest section is the Bray Hill compression, you arrive so fast that the road seems really narrow!”
“Road races allow us to live every moment to the full”
You also won the “Star of Tomorrow” trophy, as one of this year’s best rookies – did you expect that?
“I didn’t expect it to be honest, because during my time on the island, I mainly focused on learning the track but, in the end, I was able to complete a great lap at an average of 122.65 mph and it was fantastic. Winning the “Star of Tomorrow” prize has given me a better idea as to my ability and I’m now even more convinced about following my dream to become a top rider in the next few years.”
Lastly, what would you say to those who deem road races, particularly the TT, to be simply too dangerous?
“I’d say that it’s true – there are risks and racing there can be scary, but being a road racer gives you unique sensations, and you feel more alive than ever, living every moment to the max. Only I decide whether to take part or not and, in doing so, we’re not causing harm to anyone else, as it is us who decide for ourselves, which is only right. Let us do what we love doing most!”
Translated by Heather Watson
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