Racing Back

This week on Racing Back, Nick Harris and Julian Ryder are joined by Peter Duke for a very special episode celebrating the life, career and legacy of his father – the great Geoff Duke.
And with the Manx Grand Prix approaching, there could hardly be a better time to remember one of the defining figures in British motorcycle racing history.
Peter joins Nick and Jules to look back at his father's extraordinary achievements, his connection with the Isle of Man and the remarkable era of Grand Prix racing in which Geoff became one of the sport's first true international superstars.
But this conversation goes beyond World Championships, famous victories and racing statistics.
Through Peter's memories we discover more about Geoff Duke the man, the father and the racer, bringing to life a period of motorcycle racing history that deserves never to be forgotten.
It's exactly what Racing Back is all about – hearing these stories, celebrating the people who made the sport and keeping the flame of motorcycle racing history burning.
Grab yourself another wonderful slice of racing history.
• Peter Duke remembers his father, Geoff Duke
• The man behind the motorcycle racing legend
• Geoff's extraordinary Grand Prix career
• His special relationship with the Isle of Man
• The Manx Grand Prix and his early racing success
• World Championships and TT glory
• Stories and memories from a very different racing era
• Preserving the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing
The Racing Back Paddock
If you're enjoying Racing Back, you can support the show by joining The Racing Back Paddock on YouTube for £3.99 per month.
Members receive early access to episodes, loyalty badges, member shoutouts and more exclusive perks coming in the future.
Racing Back is the MotoGP podcast hosted by Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, celebrating the riders, World Champions, engineers, journalists and paddock personalities who shaped MotoGP and Grand Prix motorcycle racing, preserving the incredible stories and history of the sport for future generations.

What an episode – and this is only the beginning!
This week on Racing Back, Nick Harris and Julian Ryder are joined by one of the true legends of Grand Prix motorcycle racing – Freddie Spencer.
In the first of three special episodes, Freddie takes Nick and Jules back into one of the most extraordinary periods in motorcycle racing history.
This is the story of the bikes, the battles and what it really took to become a World Champion.
Freddie recalls his legendary battles with Kenny Roberts, but this fascinating conversation goes far deeper than the rivalry between two extraordinary riders.
He reveals the remarkable level of engineering and motorcycle development taking place behind the scenes as Honda and the other factories pushed the boundaries of what was possible with a 500cc Grand Prix machine.
The technology was evolving at an incredible pace – and it was down to riders such as Freddie to somehow harness it.
Freddie discusses the determination, physical demands and sheer grit required to compete at the very highest level, offering a rare first-hand perspective on an era that produced some of the greatest racing the sport has ever witnessed.
From Honda and the machinery to Kenny Roberts, World Championships and the mentality of a winner, this is Freddie Spencer telling the story from the inside.
And there is much, much more to come.
Episode 62 is Part One of a three-part Racing Back special with Freddie Spencer, with Parts Two and Three continuing the conversation over the coming weeks.
• Freddie Spencer's journey to becoming World Champion
• Racing the extraordinary 500cc Grand Prix machines
• His legendary battles with Kenny Roberts
• Honda and the engineering behind the motorcycles
• The relentless development race between the factories
• The physical and mental demands of the era
• First-hand stories from one of Grand Prix racing's greatest periods

This is just Part One.
Freddie Spencer returns for two more episodes, as Nick and Jules continue this remarkable conversation and delve even deeper into the career and experiences of one of motorcycle racing's greatest World Champions.
If you're enjoying Racing Back, you can support the show by joining The Racing Back Paddock on YouTube for £3.99 per month.
Members receive early access to episodes, loyalty badges, member shoutouts and more exclusive perks coming in the future.

Racing Back is the MotoGP podcast hosted by Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, featuring World Champions, legendary riders, engineers, journalists and paddock insiders sharing incredible stories and first-hand insights from MotoGP, 500cc Grand Prix racing and motorcycle racing history.

This week on Racing Back, Nick Harris and Julian Ryder are joined once again by the wonderful Dr Martin Raines for a journey through the history of the British motorcycle Grand Prix.
And Martin is particularly well qualified for this one.
Just how many British Grands Prix has he attended? We'll give you a clue – Covid prevented him attending just one...
Worked it out yet? Tune in to discover the answer!
Drawing upon decades of first-hand experience, Martin joins Nick and Jules to remember the races, riders, circuits and characters that have made the British Grand Prix such an important fixture in the motorcycle racing calendar.
There's also time to tackle one of the great debates among British MotoGP fans – Silverstone or Donington Park?
Which circuit provides the better home for the British Grand Prix? The team discuss the merits, memories and history of both as they look back over an extraordinary period of British motorcycle racing.
Packed with history, nostalgia, humour and the kind of paddock stories that Racing Back listeners love, this is another episode not to be missed.
In this episode
• Dr Martin Raines' remarkable history with the British Grand Prix
• Just how many British GPs has he attended?
• Decades of British Grand Prix memories
• The history and evolution of the event
• Racing at Silverstone
• Remembering the Donington Park years
• The great Silverstone vs Donington debate
The Racing Back Paddock
If you're enjoying Racing Back, you can support the show by joining The Racing Back Paddock on YouTube for £3.99 per month.
Members receive early access to episodes, loyalty badges, member shoutouts and more exclusive perks coming soon.

Racing Back is the MotoGP podcast hosted by Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, featuring legendary riders, journalists, historians and paddock insiders sharing stories, opinions and insights from the world of MotoGP, Grand Prix motorcycle racing and its extraordinary history.

This week on Racing Back, Nick Harris and Julian Ryder welcome one of the true icons of motorcycle racing, Wayne Gardner – Australia's first 500cc Motorcycle World Champion.
Known for his fearless riding and refreshingly honest opinions, Wayne joins Nick and Jules for an enthralling conversation covering the triumphs and disappointments of competing at the very highest level of Grand Prix racing. From winning the World Championship to the challenges of defending it, he offers remarkable insight into what it takes to succeed in one of the world's toughest sports.
Wayne also reflects on his years with Honda, the riders he competed against, and the moments that defined his legendary career. His trademark candour and humour make this one of the most revealing and entertaining Racing Back interviews to date.
Packed with unforgettable stories, fascinating insight and plenty of laughs, this is an episode every MotoGP fan should hear.
Check Out Wayne's Website: https://www.waynegardner.com/

The Racing Back Paddock
If you're enjoying Racing Back, you can support the show by joining The Racing Back Paddock on YouTube for £3.99 per month.
Members receive early access to episodes, loyalty badges, member shoutouts and more exclusive perks coming soon.

Racing Back is the MotoGP podcast hosted by Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, featuring legendary riders, world champions, journalists and paddock insiders sharing stories, opinions and insights from the world of MotoGP and motorcycle racing.

This week on Racing Back, Nick Harris and Julian Ryder are joined by legendary Grand Prix race mechanic Stu Shenton, whose career in motorcycle racing began before he had even left school.
Over the decades, Stu has worked with some of the sport's biggest names, helping to win World Championships with Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki while experiencing the highs and lows of life inside the Grand Prix paddock.
Described by Matt Oxley as "a man with plenty of tales to tell," Stu certainly lives up to that reputation as he shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from a lifetime spent at the heart of motorcycle racing.
There was simply too much to fit into one episode, making this the first part of a fascinating two-part conversation with one of the paddock's true characters.

In this episode
• Stu Shenton's remarkable career in motorcycle racing
• Working as a race mechanic from a young age
• Winning World Championships with Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki

The Racing Back Paddock
If you're enjoying Racing Back, you can support the show by joining The Racing Back Paddock on YouTube for £3.99 per month.
Members receive early access to episodes, loyalty badges, member shoutouts and more exclusive perks coming soon.

Racing Back is the MotoGP podcast hosted by Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, featuring legendary riders, mechanics, engineers, journalists and paddock insiders sharing stories, opinions and insights from the world of MotoGP and motorcycle racing.