Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/103759
P14 IN THE WIND BOSTROM TO U.S. GRAND PRIX! B 14-26 Wind.indd 14 PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREA WILSON en Bostrom will make his MotoGP debut aboard the LCR Honda RC212V at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and he's not sure why. When asked how the ride came about, the Jordan Motorsports rider said, "I don't know," then added that it was a "dream to ride an 800. I know they're going away next year and this is my last chance to ride one maybe my only chance." Bostrom never thought the opportunity would arise until he got a call from LCR Honda's Lucio Cecchinello, who he thanked profusely, along with his Jordan Motorsports team and American Suzuki, who gave him the okay to ride the Honda alongside teammate for the weekend Toni Elias. "I was very lucky," he said. "The Jordan Motorsports guys have been unbelievable in letting me get on the bike, so was Lucio. I can't believe the effort and collaboration it took to get things together." Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca isn't Bostrom's home track, but it's been the scene of some of his best rides, including the World Superbike doubleheader sweep in 2001. Bostrom won the AMA Superbike race there last year and also in 2004, and has three wins in other classes. "I like the place," Bostrom said, adding, "I don't know why we go so fast there. It's not the home track. I get lots of fan support. I can feel the energy. When it's time to perform, I just perform. I'm hoping it's the same way. With the two classes… man you're kinda squeezing in double track time." Facing the best riders in the world is a challenge for Bostrom, who wants to perform not only for himself and his team, but also for the AMA series. And at 37, Bostrom will be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, rider to make his MotoGP debut. "I want to do my best to kick ass and put that bike up front to put our series on the map," he said. "I want to do well for myself, but also to make Ben Bostrom will pull double duty at Laguna Seca as he will ride the LCR Honda in the MotoGP as well as his Jordan Suzuki in AMA Superbike. a small statement." As for his expectations, "They're high expectations. My expectations are to win. This is just another event. I'm not familiar with the bike or tires, but I'm familiar with motorcycles with two round wheels under it. I expect to do well. I know it's not going to be easy to go just finish in the top 10. For me, I'm shooting for closer to fifth. I want to put the bike up there. You got to aim high. If not, there's no point riding the bike." Bostrom said his confidence was high coming off the Mid-Ohio weekend, where his results weren't great, partly because he didn't give the engineers the feedback they needed. "Things are coming along well with the Jordan Motorsports bike," he said. "I completely botched it at Ohio with the engineers. The confidence is coming quite good. I've got a good Superbike ride and that's fun to ride. Any time you're having fun on a motorcycle, normally you ride well. If it's not fun to ride, it's a long race." Henny Ray Abrams 7/18/11 4:20 PM