From riding flat track with Casey Stoner, Broc Parkes and more, to how MotoGP™ Legend Barry Sheene helped his early career. The likeable Australian reveals all about his journey from 2003 WorldSSP Champion to claiming a MotoGP™ win with Suzuki in 2007, and how he was treated differently after that famous victory.
“When I moved into the MotoGP paddock, I respected all the riders but I didn't hold anybody as high regard, even racing against Valentino Rossi,” admits Vermeulen to the MotoGP™ Podcast. “I watched him as a kid but I just wanted to beat him on track, it was that simple. It was normal. Don't get me wrong, I didn't beat him that often (laughs).
“Coming from WorldSBK to MotoGP, it was a big learning curve. I didn't know many of the tracks so that's a downside from WorldSBK to GP, probably half the circuits I didn't know. You’re a day behind at those tracks, but Suzuki were great, they gave me a two-year contract straight up so I had time to learn. I had to learn electronics, I had to learn the bike, we were the first manufacturer to run pneumatic valves in MotoGP and we had some technical problems that year. It was great working with John though, it was good!”
To listen to a Vermeulen Podcast special, all you need to do is click this link!