“My very first race was back in 1986 and from that point I didn’t stop racing until 2007! During my career I was lucky enough to race across a number of different categories, including 80cc, 125cc, 250cc World Championship, 600cc European Championship, 24 Hours Endurance, MotoGP, World Supersport, World Superbike and British Supersport.

My preferred bike was the Supersport 600 machine, which suited my natural riding style more than any other as I always felt more comfortable riding the four stroke engine. When I moved to MotoGP in 2002, it was the last year of the two stroke machines and my bike was a real animal; no electronics and a very ‘peaky’ power delivery – I have very good memories from that crazy beast!

My first time with the Kawasaki family was in 2003 when I rode for the factory team in World Supersport. I did several tests on the Kawasaki test track in Japan and from there we began a very good relationship with the engineers in the R&D department, being a test rider for KHI from 2003 until 2010.

My first year not racing was 2008, where I attended every World Supersport round as an advisor for Kawasaki and trying to understand the best needs for the manufacturer and look for a new team. In 2009 we began working with Team Provec and step by step we’ve enjoyed some fantastic results in both Supersport and Superbike.

In 2010 I became Crew Chief for the Superbike team, working initially with Joan Lascorz who is one of the most naturally talented riders I’ve ever worked with. After his horrific accident, I began working with Loris Baz who although was only 18 he learnt a great deal and by the end of his last year in Superbikes he was challenging the front guys.

This season we signed Jonathan Rea, everyone knows how quick he is and I knew he was a good rider but he is far better than my expectations. He is 100% focused on improving every day and is very professional when it comes to riding the bike and providing feedback.

My job is my passion and my current challenge is to win WSB as a crew chief – before winning two in a row next year with Jonathan Rea! It’s been an incredible year and he’s also helped me to learn and grow and I think it’s going to be a strong partnership.