Irish road racing stalwart Davy Morgan says Covid-19 lockdown made his mind up to continue racing in 2021 and beyond

Evergreen road racing fanatic Davy Morgan says the coronavirus lockdown helped him realise that he is not yet ready to hang up his helmet for good.
Davy Morgan celebrates his 250cc race victory at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2017.Davy Morgan celebrates his 250cc race victory at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2017.
Davy Morgan celebrates his 250cc race victory at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2017.

The Co Down man had been contemplating retirement over the past few seasons but after an enforced break from the sport this year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Morgan was given an opportunity to reflect on life without racing that he otherwise would not have been afforded.

Despite competing in the sport for almost three decades, the former 250cc North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix race winner says his love for road racing remains as strong as ever, with Morgan now vowing to race on for a few more years yet.

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He told the News Letter: “I’ve actually been contemplating quitting road racing for the past couple of years, but Covid has given me the opportunity to see what it would be like without motorbikes.

“I’m glad I had that chance because if I had decided that I was finished and sold the bikes and everything else, I’d have been kicking myself if I feel like I feel now because the whole infrastructure would have been gone and it would be so difficult to start again.

“Being away from racing has given me the chance to reflect on what motorbike racing means to me, so I have no desire to retire from the sport for a while yet and it’s been a big part of my life for 27 years now.”

Morgan decided to make the move into racing after scaring himself on a road bike, admitting at first it was simply ‘for the craic’.

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“I only went racing at the start because I was riding a road bike and I thought I was going to hurt myself, so I took up racing for the craic,” he said.

“The first day I went out I couldn’t believe how fast it was and it scared the absolute life out of me. I decided to persevere for a while but I never expected that I would get handy at it for a while or anything.

“I just enjoyed it so much and I love it as much now as I ever did, although it’s no less dangerous. I suppose in my lifetime road racing might be finished but I know I want to keep at it for now.”

Last month’s Cookstown 100 in Co Tyrone was the only Irish road race to go ahead in 2020 and Morgan jumped at the chance to get his fix of racing between the hedges, even if he wasn’t prepared to give his maximum effort at the event.

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“I knew Cookstown was going to be the one and only road race of the year, so I wasn’t prepared to push because I didn’t want to spend the winter recovering or fixing bikes and stuff,” said the 49-year-old.

“I was just out for a fast ride around and that was the bottom line. I had two 11th places but I know I could have went better because of my lap times, but I did not care one iota because even on the Monday before the race, I still felt there was a chance it could have been called off.

“So it was really only a half-hearted attempt from me but if the race is on again next year, then I’ll be back at it flat-out.”

The Saintfield man has been a regular competitor at the Macau Grand Prix in China since 2012, but the current 14-day quarantine requirement laid down by the organisers means the race is not an option for Morgan.

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As it stands, the majority of riders are unwilling to make the long trip to the Far East under the current restrictions, raising a question mark over whether the 54th edition of the motorcycle race will go ahead in November.

Morgan explained: “It’s not an option for me because they want you to quarantine for 14 days over there and you can’t leave the hotel complex during that time.

“Under the guidelines at the moment, there aren’t many riders who are willing to go there with those restrictions in place. The other issue is that for some riders and teams in the British Superbike Championship, it’s going to be a rush to get the bikes to Macau with the season not finishing until later in October.

“I was actually considering whether or not I’d go back this year anyway as I kind of feel that I’ve run my time at Macau. It’s just getting so fast over there and it is a dangerous place,” he added.

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“The pace is mind-boggling but the circumstances this year have made things easier for me in terms of a decision.

“I think this would’ve been my ninth year at Macau. When I was a newcomer, Jamie Hamilton and Lee Johnston were newcomers with me too [in 2012].

“I think my best result was a 14th place one year. I know I broke down a couple of times and I came off once in the second year that I went on the Honda Fireblade, when I lost the front at Melco hairpin,” Morgan said.

“Luckily if there’s anywhere to fall off at Macau then that’s the place to do it. There’s a bit of a step in the middle of that corner, like a drop off, and I was trying to go up the inside of somebody on a tight line and the front washed out.

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“It’s a fantastic experience and an incredible place, but I’ve been going now for quite a few years and maybe I’ve done my time at Macau.”

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