Everyone Premier Security is absolutely buzzing ahead of the new motorbike track season which is only three weeks away.
This season, Premier Security is the principal sponsor of reigning Ducati Tri-Options Cup champion Rob Guiver and the Premier Security/Ducati team starts this season’s campaign with high expectations of retaining the title.
Round One of the Tri-Options Cup is at Silverstone over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
To set the scene, here’s a great interview with champ Rob. Interview by Tony Jacklin for Two Wheels or More.
2018 became the year Rob Guiver finally grabbed the Ducati TriOptions Cup title. After competing in the series since 2014 and being denied a chance in 2017 by a freak accident on the first corner of the first lap at Brands Hatch, he dominated in a similar fashion to Leon Haslam did to clinch the Superbike title.
Guiver took the Ducati Romford/Hyside Motorcycles machine to ten wins and three podiums, failing to finish in only one race, the second race at Donington during the opening round of the Championship.
His dominance was such that he managed to spray the champagne fifteen out of eighteen times, finally finishing the series 102 points clear of runner up, Lewis Rollo.
Congratulations on winning the Title. How does it feel to finally take the number one plate after coming so close since 2014?
Yeah it’s fantastic to finally win the championship, after so many years of trying. I have developed a close relationship during the 5 years with both Ronnie & Simon from Ducati Romford, Hyside motorcycles. Our team are all so close it’s like we are all part of one big family. So it makes winning the championship even more special.
What was going through your mind in those final laps of the second race at Silverstone to clinch the title?
To be fair I was pretty calm, I knew I only had to finish in the top three to win the championship, But I was determined to take the title by going out and winning that race. It was a great feeling and an amazing day.
After Silverstone, came the long trek to Assen to race in a Championship that was already decided. How did you find the motivation to go there and clinch another double?
Assen is one of my favourite tracks, and I look forward to going there every year to race. My motivation was just to go out and have fun as the pressure was off, and it was probably my most enjoyable weekend of the year.
Let’s talk about the bike. Was it an all new machine for the 2018 season? Who prepares and maintains the bike during the season?
No we kept the same bike I had from 2017, and we had everything refreshed for the 2018 season. In the team Mick Carter is my mechanic and prepares my bike for the meetings. It is a team effort during the race weekend as myself, my Dad and Mick all pitch in working on the bike.
Was there any point during the season you thought it might not happen, 102 points clear of your nearest rival does look like total domination but I’m sure that wasn’t the case?
Until I actually won it, I always thought there was a chance I may lose it, I have been in that position before where it came down to the last round and lost it. It may have looked like quite a comfortable season, but that wasn’t the case it was so stressful because I was so determined to win the championship. Until the last two rounds I didn’t stop to enjoy some of the great victories I had throughout the season as I was so focused on the ultimate goal.
Which one of the ten race wins will be your most memorable and why?
I would probably have to say my first win of the season at Brands Hatch Round 2, because after my accident last year I never thought I would ride again let alone win a race.
After the horrible accident in 2017, were you always planning to come back or was there an element of you that wanted to give it up?
Straight after my crash I wanted to call it a day, because I went through hell. But as time went on and I started to heal, I was starting to think that, I didn’t want to just walk away without ever having won it. After the 1st round, I was in a lot of pain and to be fair, I didn’t think I would be able to finish the season.
There isn’t many Champions that try to retain their title running number 1, will you be running Number 1 or 13 this season?
I have always wanted to defend a championship by running the number 1 plate, so I will be running the number 1.
This season looks to be even better than last year with lots of riders already confirmed and rumours of some bigger names joining too. Who do you see as your main rival?
It’s got to be Sean Neary, he’s probably been my closet rival over the years I have spent in the ducati cup. He is one of the nicest blokes in the paddock, and we can always have a laugh with him. He hasn’t had the best of luck the last few seasons, which I am hoping wont change lol. I am really looking forward to battling for the championship with him this year.
Thank you Rob, for your time today, it’s been a pleasure reporting on your title season and I wish you all the best in retaining the title in 2019.
See you at Silverstone where it all begins again. Thank you Tony for all your great write ups throughout the season. I would just like to say a big thank you to my sponsors for their continued support. Ronnie & Simon from Hyside motorcycles. Neil John’s from Premier. Mick Carter from Automech. Paul Clark from Vertex, Joe Spenser from Joe’s Carpets, and personal sponsors Angie & Simon Fry. Also to my new sponsor’s for 2019 Rodger Greene from RGE Service’s and Held Riding Equipment, and I am excited to be running their kit for the new season. Finally a huge thank you to my wife Natalie and Dad Eddie who are there with me at every meeting. And all my family friends and all my supporters.
The 2019 season sees the series continue with eight rounds, two races per round, starting at Silverstone National Circuit on April 19th-21st.
The season finale will be at Donington Park GP Circuit, the second visit to the iconic circuit, the first time using the shorter National Circuit. The traditional trip to Assen in Holland will also still been the calendar, always a favourite of the majority of the riders.
Interview by Tony Jacklin for Two Wheels or More.