By Prior to an incident at Greeba during Friday qualifying competition, which left him a bit beat up, Bathams Racing’s Craig Neve had quietly gone about his business across qualifying week, setting consistent, solid lap speeds.
Last Thursday, Road Racing News managed to attain the Immingham rider’s perspectives on a select group of subjects.
Starting with how qualifying week was up to Thursday, the ‘130 Mph Club’ member stated:
“Challenging, the track is a lot different this year, there is not a lot of grip out there it’s been challenging conditions, extremely windy a lot of the nights, same for everybody.
I’ve struggled a little bit myself just to get up to speed a little bit, so challenging to answer your question.”
Going into TT 2024 off the back of an encouraging Briggs Equipment Northwest 200, Neve was overall very happy with Triangle course explorations.
“The Northwest was good, some good results on the Saturday, was nice to take quite a bit of time off from previous years, improved on all the bikes, left in a good place, finished all the races, job was good.”
When asked, what’s is his preferred steed of choice out of Superbike, Superstock, Supersport tackle, Neve unhesitatingly said Supersport.
Praising the 765 Triumph model, dubbed a baby Superbike, Neve opened-up about its strengths but also weaknesses.
“The Triumph is a cracking package, really strong package, quite a long bike which suits me, but I think we just suffer, it’s a really good and fast bike but we suffer a little bit with the aero, which is quite narrow so I struggle with it hitting my shoulders quite a bit, trying to fold myself in, there is only so much I can do.”
Goals wise for TT 2024, the 2017 Barry Sheene Trophy runner-up at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough stated a mixture of results, lap times.
“My goal would be to finish in the top 10 in every race and also have to go faster than last year, so a bit of both.”
Post TT 2024, Neve confirmed last week that he will be Manx Grand Prix bound in August, piloting the same Alasdair Cowan Racing ZXR 750 Kawasaki, which he raced in 2022 and 2023.
“Definitely back for the Manx, we own the bike that I’ve rode the last few years, so I’m hoping we can make a few steps with reliability and do a proper job.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
