Legends on 2 Wheels

by Rhys Jones

Published 5 January 2010
More World Championships have been won by Kiwi motorcyclists than by competitors in any other sport in this country with nine riders winning 35 World Championships. Others have come breathtakingly close with four riders second in Moto GP and victories in the Isle of Man still the world's most demanding road race. Today young Kiwi riders are on the brink of greatness in both on and off road events. Hugh Anderson Graeme Crosby Ivan Mauger Ben Townley Josh Coppins and Aaron Slight all enjoy international respect fiercely competitive men who've driven themselves to the level of excellence of Kiwi heroes on two wheels. They've had it tough because of our remoteness having to drive harder and take more risks to achieve podium finishes. It's cost them all dearly. Not all the great riders won world championships; some achieved enormous success in competitions with no world championship status. Many spent their best years in Australasia local heroes and legends on local race tracks. And don't forget the innovators the designers and engineers who developed their craft in the great Kiwi tradition of 'can do'.
Men with vision such as John Britten Steve Roberts and Ken McIntosh built motorcycles that won respect all over the world. 'Legends on Two Wheels' is their story - the riders and innovators who built the rich legacy of Kiwi motorcycle success.