By Established amongst Wales top roads competitors, Rhys Hardisty was in good form when Road Racing News spoke to him a few days ago.
Being brutally honest about how Monday’s free practice, opening qualifying sessions unfolded, last week’s Geoff Duke Junior Superbike winner at the Pre-TT Classic, stated:
“Challenging, downright frustrating, sat there waiting for a lift back basically, the lads’ fair do’s, everything’s chocker block but by the time we got back we missed a session, we got back out in the qualifying session in the afternoon.
I didn’t want to risk running the Twin around, getting stuck again with another mechanical so we waited and went out on the big bike, got two laps in, got settled in but it’s not ideal, first laps are like wow.
Last night, we changed the settings on the big bike, felt a bit happier, went in the right direction.”
Before TT 2023, Hardisty gained his first taste of IRRC affiliated action at Hengelo, sampling the Netherlands most notorious active roads course, the Varsselring.
Commenting about the night and day differences between the fabled, mythical Mountain Course and the Varsselring, he said:
“Definitely, Hengelo enjoyed it but it’s quite narrow, it’s quite smooth, the asphalt there is like Assen, same tarmac. But nice paddock atmosphere, really good.”
Already unofficially inside his personal best TT lap speed (lapped last night at 121.445 mph), the Welsh ace is eager to continue his progress throughout race week.
Post TT 2023, the bulk of Hardisty’s roads outing will be IRRC themed, tackling all remaining series rounds with suitors Never Be Clever Racing at Imatranajo, Circuit De Chimay, Horice and Frohburg.
Outings at Aberdare Park and the Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic are also potentially on the horizon.
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
