By Every time before I delve into a pure road racing-based publication, I am aware that beforehand I more than likely, without sounding arrogant understand largely the topic, possess specific knowledge about the rider, riders centred on.
Last month I gained a copy of Daley Mathison Forget Me Not! From the book’s Author, Joel Campbell.
Joel has put hours, days, months, years into making this project possible. It’s a book in a similar light to Stephen Davison’s Martin Finnegan based publication (Flying Finn), albeit in a slightly different format.
You name it, if you want to gain a thorough re-cap on Daley Mathison’s career, it’s all there, results, achievements, the high points, the tough moments.
Tributes, behind the scenes accounts, there’s no distilment from how it was for the three times TT Zero podium finisher, still second quickest rider in Oliver’s Mount racing history.
I’m not going to deny that my relationship with Daley was rocky at times, but I always respected him.
What I always gained from covering him at roads events was his sheer self-belief, he truly believed he had the ability, talent to achieve other worldly goals.
In hindsight I perhaps viewed this a bit as arrogance but those who strive for the best, have got to think this way because others do and will continue too.
That’s sporting competition, Daley an Ulster Grand Prix race winner, over 45 times an Oliver’s Mount top three finisher, Aberdare Park Welsh Open winner in 2014, understood this and, also was top notch at self-promotion, interaction with his fans.
In wrapping up Forget Me Not! It’s the perfect book title, that’s how the man would have wanted it.
I often end articles with the hashtag #dontletfearcontrolyou, Daley certainly didn’t, he more than rode at one with it.
Words by Stevie Rial
