RideFast Dec 2019

Payne from Monster Energy
SA had kindly organized for us.
I was ecstatic when I received
the package from the team’s PR
lady – a team shirt, team cap
and water bottle all signed by
both riders Maverick Vinales and
Valentino Rossi. This was for our
auction on Saturday the 7th of
December at Ridgeway Racebar
and no doubt it would go for a
big amount of money.
Up next was another
once-in-a-lifetime experience,
organized by my good mate,
Mr Riaan Neveling who is
now the marketing manager
of KTM street motorcycles
worldwide. Riaan had chatted to
Stephanie Zehenter, who is the
Motorsports Project Manager
for KTM global about getting us
some exclusive interviews and
signed merch for our auction.
Stephanie really did treat us, first
off with a one-on-one interview
with factory Red Bull KTM rider
Pol Espargaró, followed by
another one-on-one with Tech
3 KTM rider Miguel Oliviera. It
didn’t end there. Stephanie also
surprised us with a Red Bull KTM
goodie bag, filled with a signed
screen from Pol’s MotoGP bike,
knee and elbow sliders as well
as a signed KTM racing shirt
and cap from both Brad Binder
and Pol. Yes, I know I am a lucky
bastard and you all hate me, and
I can say at this point I was even
jealous of myself…
So, Shaun and myself sat
down with Pol and had our
interview followed by a picture
together and getting our official
caps signed. The interview was
great, unfortunately I just did not
have the time or the space to get
it in here so look out for the full
interview in next month’s issue.
One question I did ask Pol
was about his new team-mate
and how he felt about Brad
joining the team. He had heaps
of praise for Brad and went on to
say that “he is the perfect rider
to join the team. His riding style
and character is exactly what
we need to help improve the
package. He will for sure make
the bike more competitive…”
Again, after getting the
feeling back in our knees and
faces we finished the day off
with a visit to Darryn’s pit box
and Brad’s race truck, chatting
about all things bikes of course.
While in Brad’s truck we spotted
a big bright trophy along with a
Dunlop cap. It was his winner’s
trophy from Sepang, which the
team had brought back for him
to take home. Another one for
the ever-growing cabinet. We
also spotted his race suit, boots
and gloves, as well as his Bell
race helmet. I won’t lie, this is
when my SA mentality kicked
in and thoughts of somehow
trying to steal all his gear
flooded my mind. Don’t worry,
I didn’t steal anything other
than a glance at his gorgeous
girlfriend Courtney’s chest.
Sorry Brad and Courts, and my
Amz if you are reading this, I am
a man after all…
We then set off on our 25km
ride back to our self-catering
room situated in Valencia town
center. Thank the Lord we
were on bikes, as the traffic
was horrendous! Trying to
negotiate the Spanish roads
was like trying to figure out
what women really want – it
was dam near impossible! If you
think SA drivers are bad, wait
until you drive in Spain – it’s a
real s@#t show!
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Always a great shopping experience at the track.
86 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019