The Red Bulletin May 2019

G U I D E
Do it
EXPERIENCE MOTOGP
YOU TOO CAN
DO THIS
Worn kneepads are a badge of honour for
motorcycle racers. Former professionals
Sete Gibernau and Dani Pedrosa show us their
cornering technique on an exclusive biking
weekend with private tuition and VIP access
to the MotoGP Gran Premi de Catalunya
ON YOUR KNEES
IN 10 EASY STEPS
A private racing circuit in
Spain, bikes tuned perfectly.
Tarmac as flat as a pancake,
with tons of grip. Two coaches
who were at the top of
MotoGP for years. So now it’s
your turn. Your knee must
touch the ground and gently
graze the unpleasantly new
pads, making them look like
they should. Sete Gibernau
explains how you get there...
1Try to be calm and stay that
way throughout the ride.
Don’t clutch the handlebars
with all your strength – there’s
no need to use force. Be
conscious of your breathing.
2Even when you’re tilting,
keep your head up
straight. Your eyes should be
parallel to the ground beneath
you. That’s the only way you
can judge a corner correctly.
3We’ll start with a lefthand
corner. Most riders
find this easier, as the hand
you accelerate with is on the
outside, giving more room for
adjustments with your elbow.
4Coming into the corner,
put the front of your feet
on the footrests as you brake.
This way, you avoid undesired
contact between the sole of
your foot and the ground, and
your toes won’t get sanded.
5After the braking phase,
bring your centre of
gravity inwards by shifting
your weight, and, with your
knee bent, hang onto the tank.
Do this in a single, fluid
movement. Take it easy.
6Bend the inside leg and
move it outwards. Feel
free to go a little overboard
to start with.
7Curve your body back
slightly. This way, you
automatically get low on the
bike, making it easier for your
knee to come into contact
with the ground.
8From this point on,
braking is a big no-no.
Come into the corner and
look a little further ahead
of the end of the bend than
you would instinctively.
9Adjust how far you tilt
with the throttle hand. If
you step off the gas a bit, you
tilt inwards. If you ramp it up,
the bike will straighten itself.
This phase requires practice
and good feel.
Sooner or later you’ll be
10scratching your knee.
Well done! Keep your cool (see
point 1) – remember you need
to come out of the corner, too.
Step on it and the centrifugal
force will straighten the bike.
Now repeat this all day long...
GETTY IMAGES
Our coach shows us how
it’s done: Dani Pedrosa
at the TT Circuit Assen in
the Netherlands in 2018
90 THE RED BULLETIN