Racing Back

#MotoGP #RacingBack #MotoGPPodcast #TheNearlyMen #DrMartinRaines
Welcome to Episode 37 of Racing Back, Nick and Jules are joined by the MotoGP oracle himself, Dr Martin Raines, to dive into one of the sport’s most fascinating debates — the riders who almost had it all.
From title challengers who fell just short, to supremely talented racers whose careers were derailed by injury, timing, machinery, or sheer bad luck, we explore the “Nearly Men” of MotoGP. Were they victims of circumstance? Overshadowed by generational greats? Or simply a twist of fate away from greatness?
We break down the careers, the what-ifs, and the lingering questions surrounding some of the sport’s most talented names who never quite received the accolades they may have deserved.
Do you agree with our picks? Have we missed anyone?
Let us know your contenders for MotoGP’s ultimate “Nearly Men” in the comments below!

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🔹 Sponsorship Opportunity
Racing Back is now actively seeking podcast sponsors and brand partners. If you’re a motorsport brand, motorcycle business, or racing-related product looking to reach a highly engaged and growing MotoGP and World Superbike audience, we’d love to hear from you. Sponsorship details and contact information can be found below.
If you enjoy MotoGP podcasts, World Superbike interviews, motorcycle racing stories, and behind-the-scenes paddock insight, make sure to like, subscribe, and share the channel. Your support helps us bring you more exclusive racing content every week.

#RacingBack #NeilHodgson #MotoGP
Racing Back continues its deep dive into the world of elite motorcycle racing with a very special guest—British World Champion Neil Hodgson.
Following two standout episodes featuring legendary MotoGP crew chief Jerry Burgess, Nick and Jules welcome World Superbike Champion and MotoGP race winner Neil Hodgson to the podcast. In this episode, Neil shares stories from his racing career, insights into MotoGP and World Superbike, and his perspective on what it takes to compete—and win—at the highest level of motorcycle racing.
With recent growth in subscribers and listeners, Racing Back is entering an exciting new phase. Over the coming weeks, episode lengths will be increasing to allow for longer-form conversations, deeper paddock stories, and more exclusive insight from riders, engineers, and key figures from MotoGP, World Superbike, and international motorcycle racing.
And yes—Jerry Burgess will be returning for another episode very soon.
🔹 Sponsorship Opportunity
Racing Back is now actively seeking podcast sponsors and brand partners. If you’re a motorsport brand, motorcycle business, or racing-related product looking to reach a highly engaged and growing MotoGP and World Superbike audience, we’d love to hear from you. Sponsorship details and contact information can be found below.
If you enjoy MotoGP podcasts, World Superbike interviews, motorcycle racing stories, and behind-the-scenes paddock insight, make sure to like, subscribe, and share the channel. Your support helps us bring you more exclusive racing content every week.
Without further ado—welcome to Racing Back Episode 36. 🏍️🏁
#WorldSuperbike #WSBK #MotoGPPodcast #MotorcycleRacing #MotorsportPodcast #SuperbikeRacing #BritishWorldChampion
#MotoGPInterview #RacingPodcast #PaddockStories #MotorbikeRacing #RoadRacing #JerryBurgess #TwoWheels #RacingLife
Interested in Sponsorship? Want your product advertised on our show?
Contact: [email protected]

#RacingBackPodcast #JerryBurgess #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi #MickDoohan #WayneGardner
Nick and Jules continue their fantastic chat with one of the most influential figures in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history — Jerry Burgess.
JB is Australian, he was doing the standard European tour in 1980 when friends he was staying with in South London put him forward for a mechanic’s job at Heron Suzuki. He worked for Suzuki for three years, primarily for Randy Mamola before moving to Honda - where he stayed for 21 years.
he started as a mechanic for Ron Haslam before being moved to Freddie Spencer’s team to work for race engineer Erv Kanemoto, from whom Jerry learnt the art of being a crew chief during Freddie’s double championship year 1985.
Honda then moved him to be race engineer for Aussie new recruit Wayne Gardner, winning the title in ’87.
JB was again moved by management to be crew chief for another young Aussie, Mick Doohan in 1989. The first title came in 1994 and was followed by four more consecutively. It was an era of total domination. Doohan retired in 1999 and the arrival of Valentino Rossi at Honda kept JB in the sport. Three world championships with Honda followed by four more after a sensational move to Yamaha. He applied to analytical ability he learnt from Kanemoto and his own experiences. JB is an acute observer of paddock behaviour Above all, he wanted to win as much as his riders and he knew how to make victory possible
All of which makes Burgess the most successful crew chief in MotoGP history.
Packed with humour, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom, Episode 34 is a must-listen for racing fans, engineers, and anyone fascinated by the human side of elite motorsport.
Whether you’re a MotoGP fan, racer, engineer, or motorsport history lover, this is an unmissable conversation with a genuine legend of the sport.
Watch, listen, and subscribe for more iconic racing stories.

👍 Like
💬 Comment (we read every one!)
🔔 Subscribe to support the channel
Would you like to sponsor our show? Why Sponsor Racing Back?
Racing Back Podcast reaches a passionate, engaged motorsport audience that spans WSBK, MotoGP, and general racing fans. Our listeners are highly active, social media-savvy, and love discovering brands that support their racing lifestyle.
Partnering with us means:
Exposure to a dedicated and growing motorsport community
Promotion across YouTube, socials, and podcast platforms
Integration opportunities in episodes, quizzes, and specials
If you’re a brand looking to connect with motorcycle racing enthusiasts, let’s talk sponsorship opportunities! Reach us at: [email protected]

MotoGP Legend Jerry Burgess on Rossi, Doohan & Gardner | Racing Back Ep 34
#RacingBackPodcast #JerryBurgess #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi #MickDoohan #WayneGardner
Nick and Jules are joined this week on Racing Back by one of the most influential figures in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history — Jerry Burgess.
JB is Australian, he was doing the standard European tour in 1980 when friends he was staying with in South London put him forward for a mechanic’s job at Heron Suzuki. He worked for Suzuki for three years, primarily for Randy Mamola before moving to Honda - where he stayed for 21 years.
he started as a mechanic for Ron Haslam before being moved to Freddie Spencer’s team to work for race engineer Erv Kanemoto, from whom Jerry learnt the art of being a crew chief during Freddie’s double championship year 1985.
Honda then moved him to be race engineer for Aussie new recruit Wayne Gardner, winning the title in ’87.
JB was again moved by management to be crew chief for another young Aussie, Mick Doohan in 1989. The first title came in 1994 and was followed by four more consecutively. It was an era of total domination. Doohan retired in 1999 and the arrival of Valentino Rossi at Honda kept JB in the sport. Three world championships with Honda followed by four more after a sensational move to Yamaha. He applied to analytical ability he learnt from Kanemoto and his own experiences. JB is an acute observer of paddock behaviour Above all, he wanted to win as much as his riders and he knew how to make victory possible
All of which makes Burgess the most successful crew chief in MotoGP history.
Packed with humour, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom, Episode 34 is a must-listen for racing fans, engineers, and anyone fascinated by the human side of elite motorsport.
Whether you’re a MotoGP fan, racer, engineer, or motorsport history lover, this is an unmissable conversation with a genuine legend of the sport.
Watch, listen, and subscribe for more iconic racing stories.

👍 Like
💬 Comment (we read every one!)
🔔 Subscribe to support the channel
Would you like to sponsor our show? Why Sponsor Racing Back?
Racing Back Podcast reaches a passionate, engaged motorsport audience that spans WSBK, MotoGP, and general racing fans. Our listeners are highly active, social media-savvy, and love discovering brands that support their racing lifestyle.
Partnering with us means:
Exposure to a dedicated and growing motorsport community
Promotion across YouTube, socials, and podcast platforms
Integration opportunities in episodes, quizzes, and specials
If you’re a brand looking to connect with motorcycle racing enthusiasts, let’s talk sponsorship opportunities! Reach us at: [email protected]

Happy New Year Racing Backers!
Todays episode Nick, Jules and Martin looks at all of your fabulous entries for the Dream Grid competition!
TWO OF YOU ARE LUCKY WINNERS - IS IT YOU?
Good luck!

👍 Like
💬 Comment (we read every one!)
🔔 Subscribe to support the channel
Would you like to sponsor our show? Why Sponsor Racing Back?
Racing Back Podcast reaches a passionate, engaged motorsport audience that spans WSBK, MotoGP, and general racing fans. Our listeners are highly active, social media-savvy, and love discovering brands that support their racing lifestyle.
Partnering with us means:
Exposure to a dedicated and growing motorsport community
Promotion across YouTube, socials, and podcast platforms
Integration opportunities in episodes, quizzes, and specials
If you’re a brand looking to connect with motorcycle racing enthusiasts, let’s talk sponsorship opportunities! Reach us at: [email protected]