Not sure whose up with the play, John Woodley is riding an MV Augusta in the tri series this year.
Woodley was one of the biggest Kiwi stars in the 70's but hasn't raced since then.
It'll be great to see him back out there too, be interesting to hear his comments how technology has moved too
John Woodley, who many of you will remember as one of New Zealand’s most successful motorcycle road racers, is returning from his Australian home specially to compete with the best the BEARS class has to offer on a fast MV Agusta F4 R312.
For Woodley this will be no pleasure cruise. The former Blenheim resident is all set for action – to finish in the top three of his BEARS races. Almost three decades since his last race, few will doubt the 60 year old will be able to show the younger generation a thing or two along the way!
Woodley explains, “I’m very excited about it because it’s all about enjoying my motorcycling these days. Back then I was on a mission to win everything to try to become rich and famous. Back a few years I could never understand why Hugh Anderson and Ginger Molloy kept racing in the Classics, and I realise now they simply loved it and that’s what I want to do.”
Woodley is receiving rider coaching and track day lessons but has yet to turn a wheel in anger during a race, leaving that experience for the opening round at Hampton Downs on December 11. Rounds at Manfield on December 18 and Wanganui’s famous Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day follow shortly thereafter.
Known as ‘Gentleman John’, Woodley will race one of the most beautiful Italian road machines ever produced. “I’m bringing the 2007 MV Agusta F4 R312 over, a 2007 model with some upgrades, and I hope to finish in the first three, but some of these young blokes are pretty good!”
John Woodley competed on the world stage in 500cc Grand Prix from the mid-seventies as a leading privateer, with a best placing of ninth at the 1979 French GP. He is a multi NZ champion and a three-time winner at Bathurst in Australia’s hardest motorcycle race. and regularly raced in Malaysia and Indonesia for Suzuki. “I stopped racing in 1981, but I never officially retired.”
Woodley now runs a successful forestry business just north of Melbourne managing timber plantations for forest owners. “I’ll be a bit rusty, but we’ll see how we go!”
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by jellywrestler
Bookmarks