By Used to speed, intense unrelenting sport in the form of skiing, it’s not surprising that unique, tough challenges appeal to Gerald Dath.
Like Alpine Skiing World Cup legend, enduro rider Marcel Hirscher, Dath has made the transition from one sporting discipline to another.
A Mountain Course newcomer in 2023, Dath would go onto finish an extremely respectable 26th in the Junior MGP race, along the way notching up a PB lap speed of 106.458 mph.
2024 Manx GP action sees the French rider move onto the Senior class, straddling Supersport machinery around the other worldly IOM roads.
Commenting about this, opening qualifying from last Sunday, he stated:
“Well, my first time in the Senior class with the 600, like the bike, the track is way different with the 600 but unfortunately, we didn’t finish any lap due to accidents.
So, kind of mixed feeling first time on track with the 600, good feeling but we didn’t finish the practice.”
Dath riding under his own teams banner on CBR 600RR Honda tackle, added that he feels ultra well prepared for this year’s Manx.
“I’ve never been so well prepared for this event, it’s a big thing for me the Manx. The Isle of Man, the track so I’ve been working very hard on the bike, I have good mechanics with me, three mechanics, one from the Isle of Man, one Irish one from France, so we work hard to make it all clean, all safe.”
In terms of target results, for Dath it’s more about enjoyment, showcasing his speed, riding abilities.
“First is enjoying the Manx, hopefully the weather will be more with us! To be fast enough to be not ridiculous, just be fast enough to say I’m not that bad on the bike.”
He continued:
“I’m not looking for the podium, I’m not looking for the top ten, top five, I just want to be a great rider and be comfortable, to be able to do some nice stuff on the bike, gain this feeling when you hit the corner, hit the apex, you go out with some speed and you say ah yeah that was great, feeling great like this, it’s all about the feeling.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
