Motorcycle road racer: Richard Vuillermet

Road racing is a rather discreet world of motorcycling. And while the Tourist Trophy is legendary, the events in France are just as exciting. Why do we mention it? Because in this article, we introduce you to Richard, a rider whom Ixtem Moto is proud to sponsor. From his beginnings in hillclimbing to his arrival at Manx GP, he tells us all about this rather mysterious world. Is it possible to make a living from this passion? How does it feel to race on the legendary Tourist Trophy track? His biggest spills? Ready, set, go! Enjoy your reading!

Hello Richard, you've been racing motorcycles on the road for 12 years now. Can you tell us about how you got started? Is there a classic progression in this field, perhaps a school or training courses?

No, I don't think there is a classic progression. I don't really like circuit racing, but I'm forced to do it. I have more fun on the road. Are there any schools? Yes, I take driving lessons to find the right trajectory and manage braking. And yes... coming from a rally car background, I have a tendency to drive very late. So it's clear that I don't have the most beautiful style, but I've got the speed.

What types of motorcycle road racing have you taken part in?

I started out in hill-climbing for fun, at the same time as my daughter. In 1994, I finished 3rd in the championship despite the accident (which I talk about later in the article). In 1995, I won the title and did my first race in England.

I do some circuit racing, but I'm mainly going to tell you about my road races (my favourites). I've taken part in the Chimay Open Trophy, the 400 race at Gedinne, last year's Coockstown 100 with the French record, and the Tandragee (only the trials, as the race was cancelled).

I also ride in the Czech Republic for the "Gustave Havel 300". It's a crazy course, with huge elevation changes and a magical atmosphere! Some call it the Czech Tourist Trophy. Otherwise, two English tracks. First, the mythical Cadwell Park, which I love for its jump, it's madness. And the second: Anglesey in Wales, with a superb view of the sea during the race. It's one of my best places: 4th, which I achieved after a huge 37-place climb!

Elsewhere, abroad, I discovered the Alcaras circuit last year. It's old-fashioned and great fun. 6 hours alone in the saddle, my behind will remember it for a long time! The Scarborough Spring Cup, where I finished 4th in the wet. I just love it! Memorable moment? Meeting John Mc Guiness! It was this meeting that led to my arrival at Manx. The boss himself had asked me to ride with "them" at the Classic after seeing me riding my granny Stinger. And so I was able to take part in the Manx in several categories.

Are you on your own or surrounded by a whole team?

As a team, mainly at Manx, I have my partner who handles all the administrative side of things, and a few friends like Lionel who takes time off work to help me out. Occasionally, friends give me a hand. However, I'm regularly on my own, for example in the Czech Republic.

How do you train as a pilot? Is there any special physical preparation?

Before my accident, I used to run, but now I'm not allowed to. So, this year, I'll be cycling and doing trials. For over 20 years now, I've had to do a lot of stretching to maintain a certain degree of mobility due to my various invisible handicaps. For the Manx, you need to work on stamina and endurance, because four laps at these speeds require constant concentration. As fatigue sets in, you can lose it, and that's when drama can quickly set in.

What bikes do you ride at the races?

Depending on the race, I ride :

• 250 Ninja
• 400 ZXR from 1990
• 750 Stinger (which this year will be replaced by a 1995 M)
• 2009 ZX6r

All these bikes are homemade. They all have big brakes, revised engines and, above all, great chassis with either Maxton or Ohlins.

What's your riding gear?

On a day-to-day basis, I wear my superb Nexx Xg 100S full-carbon helmet (also used in some races), which is a delight in terms of comfort. After that, I never leave my RST leather (Brandish, one of my favorite turns up there), a back protector (the race one) and my Rangers shells.

Otherwise, for road racing, I had a Helitte wired airbag. Unfortunately, due to new regulations, it's no longer authorized. So this year, it'll be back and chest protection only. That's the stupidity of current regulations, which force you to ride without protection if you can't afford the latest.

Do you also ride a motorcycle outside of rallies (daily commutes, Sunday rides, long-distance trips...)? And by the way, what kind of bike does a speed freak like you ride on a daily basis?

Yes, I mainly ride my bike. Some years, I've covered up to 60,000 kilometers. What kind of bike? The Stinger, of course, but revised, with Ohlins chassis and Beringer brakes. The rest? Shhhh, that's a secret.

How did you catch the bug? What idols or events inspired you to get into the saddle?

I don't know how I caught the bug, but I was lucky enough to grow up in the 70s and 80s. In those years, cars and speed weren't evil incarnate. Every weekend, there was motorcycling, rallying, F1.... You couldn't help but become passionate! And at the same time, I've always loved taking risks, climbing everywhere, trying to go as fast as possible, whether on a bike, sled or ski... I also remember my first motorcycle ride when I was 4 or 5 in the courtyard of my building. A real treat!

My idols were Alain Prieur, Jean Michel Bayle and Steph Chambon in Super Motard. Of course, there's also Rossi, Regis and Laconi.

By the way, do you manage to make a living from this passion? Or do you have a job on the side? Do you have to sell a kidney to get your bike ready for racing? We often wonder at what point in a career can you make a living from it?

Make a living from it? When you start at my age, you don't even have to think about it. Getting sponsors like Michel from Ixtem Moto is great. It keeps costs down. Then it takes up all my days off, my weekends and my vacations. Of course, I don't train as much as I'd like, but that's the game when you're an amateur. Unless you're English or Irish, you can't expect to make a living out of it (especially in road races).

Let's face it, motorcycle racing is a dangerous sport. Does this constant risk create bonds between competitors? Is there a particular kind of solidarity between riders?

In road races, absolutely. There's a totally different state of mind to any other race. From the first to the last, the risk is the same. The public also has this respect for all the drivers, because they are drivers, period.

In road racing, I've met people who are much more open and approachable than some hill-climb "champions" who've been around for years without saying hello... With the British, a McGuiness or a Dunlop will always take the time to answer a hello or give you some advice. In the paddocks, the solidarity is incredible. I find the same human atmosphere as in the 70s. We'll carry a tool, an engine, anything to help a driver finish a race.

You took part in the MGP, also known as the Manx, the amateur version of the Tourist Trophy. Can you tell us about your experience? Was it an ultimate goal for you?

Yes, Manx GP (less well known here in France), the Tourist Trophy's little sister and a compulsory step towards the TT one day. An ultimate goal? I don't know, but it's a dream. Having started the last year I could, I knew that the TT would never be accessible to me.Riding this magical track is an absolute dream, a constant delight. My first finish was truly unforgettable. Riding on this fabulous island was a dream I shared with my best buddy, who has sadly passed away.

The ultimate goal would mean there's nothing left behind, but that's not the case. There's Macau to come soon, for example, as well as a few English circuits I'd like to race on (Brands Hatch, Silverstone), and also in Ireland, Armoy, Tandragee en course, Skerries... The ultimate goal of all this remains FUN!!

We want it crispy. What's your worst meal, the crash you'll remember for the rest of your life?

Crispy? I'll give you two:

The first was during my 1st full hill-climbing season when I was leading the championship. At the 2014 Marchaux hillclimb (the only time I've ever put racing tires on a hillclimb), I'm on the line. Ready to take off... And the race stops... 10/15 minutes later, it's off again. Ready to go! Gazzz! Only, my front tire had cooled. In the big left under the refreshment stand, I lose the front so fast that I don't have time to say fuck it. Visor on the ground. Four rolls follow, and every time I touch the ground, I feel it break. On Lolo Cochet's video, you can hear my bike bouncing around. They say that in hillclimbing "you don't get hurt", but I still suffered a total of 7 fractures, including 2 vertebrae and a dislocated shoulder.

The second one? The year of my first Manx, I had just finished 12th newcommer. I attacked my last tests before the senior race and managed to start last. I catch up with a rider who's super-fast on the straights but very slow on the technical sections and curves. We reach the entrance to Kirk Michael (the descent through the white houses). I know I have room to overtake. Downshift, brake, outside and !!!! Here, the guy changes line, even though this series of 3 curves can go on! Didn't he know? Probably not. I swerve. The wall is just ahead. I know I'm going to hit it. Hours of training have given me the right reflexes to react quickly and limit the damage. I aim for the sidewalk and try to hit the wall as close to it as possible. Last memory? The protective foam crashing into my helmet. I open my eyes again in the chopper, then in the hospital, with my wife by my side. Rest assured, I've managed to ride again and enjoy it like never before.

A motorcycle career can be punctuated by frustration. A broken machine, a riding error - what was your most frustrating experience?

Yes, racing is made up of happiness and disappointment. The last and most frustrating was on the Isle of Man. Let me tell you about it. In 2022, the ZX6r was at its best: full Maxton chassis, Beringer brakes and, above all, for the first time, an insane engine.

So I arrive ready to go, but? Because of a misplaced drop sensor, I had to fight with cuts on every heavy braking... Disappointed. The result? Having never ridden so fast, I finished last (fortunately with an average speed of over 100 miles, but what anger). Taking the intermediate times, I was in the top 30 overall! Can you imagine the frustration? So it's decided, this year it's revenge and results for the 100th anniversary of the Manx Gp. Let's hear it!

We hope you'll enjoy this dive into the world of motorcycle road racing. What will we remember? The awesome solidarity in the background. And yes, all riders are on an equal footing in the face of danger. All that's left for us to do is to say "Fuck Richard" for his next races!

----> You can follow his adventures on facebook and youtube.