By There aren’t many riders as versatile when it comes to switching between modern four-strokes tackle and yesteryear Classics machinery as Hebden Bridge’s Jamie Coward.
Enjoying another high-yielding roads’ season, late last month Coward scooped the ‘Man of The Meeting’ award at Armoy, an accolade that left him a bit shocked.
“Went there just to have fun, only my second time there after missing last year with a broken pelvis, first time on the big bike, knew obviously the new Triumph no one’s ridden it there before so were chasing our tails a little bit with that but few wins on the Twin, podium on the big-bike and Supersport.
So then obviously to accumulate enough points for the man of the meeting, I was a bit shocked to be fair, it was nice, been a good year all round really.”
Discussing the largely cold weather impacted TT 2024, Coward now tenth in the all-time fastest TT rider standings, stated:
“In general every-time like I say to everyone, most people, every time I come to the TT, the Mountain Course if I can go faster on the bikes I’m riding, then I’m moving further forward and we did that in both Supersport races and the big bike class, so reasonably happy, top privateer again, top five in most races, not far off the podium in the Supersport class.”
He continued:
“It’s getting better, better and better, the team (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan) even though is well established now, it’s still quite new to the whole thing, only third or fourth year as a team, getting bigger in the paddock.
It’s been down to them why I’m making these strides forward to be fair, the KTS Racing team, Stanley Stewart and Steadplan it’s been down to them, the boys have worked tireless for me, and they give me everything I need and that fills you full of confidence as a rider, long may it continue with them.
I’m going to be staying with them for next year as well, we might be moving manufacturers with the bike, staying with the Triumph maybe, we need to sit down and talk properly about it.”
Chatting about reuniting with Ted Woof, John Craven’s Craven Classic Racing team for 2024 MGP action, candidly said:
“I’ve ridden for John and Ted for a long-time with the craven classic racing team, first night of practice on the Manx Norton went reasonably well, I know I’ve ridden for a long time, but haven’t ridden it for nearly two years.
Got on it, was nice to get back on it, just steady away first couple of laps, the K4 (Honda) was flying, if I could have got another lap on it, I would have parked it up, got it ready for the race.”
With regards to whether a second Junior Classics Mountain Course triumph could be a brewing, Coward stated, “keep going and see where we are at the end, see what happens.”
Carole Nash Classic Senior race-stint wise, Coward feels that John McGuinness MBE will be tough to beat but isn’t dismissing contending for honours. Also, astride Classic SBK apparatus for Team York Suzuki, he’s realistic results wise given over heating engine problems from first qualifying.
Taking BSS (British Supersport) points finishes this year at Circuito De Navarra, Oulton Park and Thruxton, the 2018 Junior Classic TT victor has really enjoyed British Championship competition despite not expecting to enjoy it.
Prime benefits for Coward from participating in BSB affiliated races include improving overall as a rider and helping him push to limits, he hasn’t been able to before.
Once Manx GP qualifying/racing concludes, Coward’s next expected outing is at Brands Hatch for more BSB support race action, aboard the Stanley Stewart Triumph.
He has been asked to compete at the iconic Macau Grand Prix but looks set to pass on Guia Circuit explorations, a similar scenario beckons for the Steve Henshaw Gold Cup with Supersport regulations the top sticking point.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
