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"10 questions with....."
Shannon "SJay" Johnson #42
Shannon competed in the Australian Road Racing scene over a 20yr career, with factory rides for a number of manufacturers. Retiring at the end of the 2010 season, Shannon has since pursued a sporting career in cycling with astounding success.
Motorcycle Career Result
2010 Australian Moto GP Australian Superbike Race Winner
2009 Australian Pro Twins Champion
2009Australian Formula OZ Champion
2009 Australian Supersport Privateer Cup Champion
2009 Australian Supersport Championship 4th
2009 Victorian Superbike Championship Winner Rd1 & Rd3
2004 Australian Supermoto Champion
2004 Australian Superbike Championship 2nd
2003 Australian Supersport Championship 3rd
2002 Australian Supersport Champion
2002 Australian Rider of the Year
1- How old were you when you started road racing?
I first tried a road racing bike at 17 on a CBR600 around Phillip Island, but didn't start racing until 6 months or so after that first ride pretty much when I turned 18 as I was still racing motocross.
2- What was your most memorable race victory? Why?
There are a few but really you only remember the most recent so I would have to say Moto GP support race 2010 at the island. It was after a very short time on that bike and whilst it was labelled "lucky I learnt from a mistake made in the final round of the 2009 ASBK and believed that I could manage the wet track on new slicks until the a damp drying line appeared. Job done! Also of mention would have to be winning the KTM RC8R's first ever race globally, that was nice to be a part of history. But the one I get reminded of the most is the wet race at Eastern Creek, funny thing is I don't see what the big deal was? It must have looked much more exciting watching than riding......
3- You're a cyclist these day, what is your average weekly mileage on the bicycle?
Well at the moment it is far less than I would like! Due to recovering from recent surgery and only just getting the all clear, however prior to the World Qualifying event in mid April I was doing around 550-650kms a week. The toughest thing is trying to balance work, family and training in.
4- As an athlete there is always one person you love to beat more than anyone else. On the motorbike, who was that person for you?
I really don't know to be honest, Adam Fergusson and I had a great rivalry and also great respect for each other, we could fight like street fighters on the track but know that we would never overstep that line to become dangerous while still maintaining a off track friendship.
5- If you were able to travel through time back to when you were 16yrs old again, what advice you would give your younger self?
This is not going to sound good but not waste time racing here in Australia, maybe a year to learn. Next to no one gets a ride in Europe anymore without paying and when you compare what you have to spend here in Australia to race and what you get in return verses Europe or even the USA or UK for me it's a no brainer.
6- Who will be MotoGP champion this year?
I really hope Casey, but many things outside the riders control can impact the final outcome as we have recently seen with both Casey and Dani getting taken out. Safe to say on his recent form Casey has a very good chance of winning though.
7- What has been your favourite job?
Most rewarding would have to be "Dad", not that it's a job but nothing can compare. Racing motorcycles as a part time job was great but the money was never good enough to solely live on unless you don't have any commitments and live at home with Mum and Dad....
8- Which sponsor has been with you the longest (family excluded)?
Easily ARAI Helmets, actually I have never worn any other brand of motorcycle helmet, they supported me as a junior in my motocross days then that carried over to my road racing. I was very lucky and grateful to have support direct from Japan. In total I was sponsored by ARAI for 20 years! Your head is the one thing that cannot be replaced and they are by far the best helmets in the world.
9- Would you like to be involved in a motorcycle team again, either as a rider, or in another role?
Maybe later but right now I'm happy with my new adventure of cycling and to be honest it seems that motorsport ( the racing segment) is in not really moving forward despite what seems to be best efforts. I'm happy to do bits and pieces here and there and you will see me pop up on bikes soon enough, but as they say a change is as good as a holiday and right now, I'm enjoying the Bahamas....
10- If I offered to buy you a sportsbike today, which bike would you choose?
Do high end cycles fall into Sportsbike? If so a Specialized Venge! But Sportbike with a motor? I really don't get excited about motorcycles anymore, having spent over half my life with them not much really impresses me anymore, unless of course Moto GP bikes become available then one of those will do fine! (tdp- I'II take that as a Ducati Desmo then!)
Shannon competed in the Australian Road Racing scene over a 20yr career, with factory rides for a number of manufacturers. Retiring at the end of the 2010 season, Shannon has since pursued a sporting career in cycling with astounding success.
Motorcycle Career Result
2010 Australian Moto GP Australian Superbike Race Winner
2009 Australian Pro Twins Champion
2009Australian Formula OZ Champion
2009 Australian Supersport Privateer Cup Champion
2009 Australian Supersport Championship 4th
2009 Victorian Superbike Championship Winner Rd1 & Rd3
2004 Australian Supermoto Champion
2004 Australian Superbike Championship 2nd
2003 Australian Supersport Championship 3rd
2002 Australian Supersport Champion
2002 Australian Rider of the Year
1- How old were you when you started road racing?
I first tried a road racing bike at 17 on a CBR600 around Phillip Island, but didn't start racing until 6 months or so after that first ride pretty much when I turned 18 as I was still racing motocross.
2- What was your most memorable race victory? Why?
There are a few but really you only remember the most recent so I would have to say Moto GP support race 2010 at the island. It was after a very short time on that bike and whilst it was labelled "lucky I learnt from a mistake made in the final round of the 2009 ASBK and believed that I could manage the wet track on new slicks until the a damp drying line appeared. Job done! Also of mention would have to be winning the KTM RC8R's first ever race globally, that was nice to be a part of history. But the one I get reminded of the most is the wet race at Eastern Creek, funny thing is I don't see what the big deal was? It must have looked much more exciting watching than riding......
3- You're a cyclist these day, what is your average weekly mileage on the bicycle?
Well at the moment it is far less than I would like! Due to recovering from recent surgery and only just getting the all clear, however prior to the World Qualifying event in mid April I was doing around 550-650kms a week. The toughest thing is trying to balance work, family and training in.
4- As an athlete there is always one person you love to beat more than anyone else. On the motorbike, who was that person for you?
I really don't know to be honest, Adam Fergusson and I had a great rivalry and also great respect for each other, we could fight like street fighters on the track but know that we would never overstep that line to become dangerous while still maintaining a off track friendship.
5- If you were able to travel through time back to when you were 16yrs old again, what advice you would give your younger self?
This is not going to sound good but not waste time racing here in Australia, maybe a year to learn. Next to no one gets a ride in Europe anymore without paying and when you compare what you have to spend here in Australia to race and what you get in return verses Europe or even the USA or UK for me it's a no brainer.
6- Who will be MotoGP champion this year?
I really hope Casey, but many things outside the riders control can impact the final outcome as we have recently seen with both Casey and Dani getting taken out. Safe to say on his recent form Casey has a very good chance of winning though.
7- What has been your favourite job?
Most rewarding would have to be "Dad", not that it's a job but nothing can compare. Racing motorcycles as a part time job was great but the money was never good enough to solely live on unless you don't have any commitments and live at home with Mum and Dad....
8- Which sponsor has been with you the longest (family excluded)?
Easily ARAI Helmets, actually I have never worn any other brand of motorcycle helmet, they supported me as a junior in my motocross days then that carried over to my road racing. I was very lucky and grateful to have support direct from Japan. In total I was sponsored by ARAI for 20 years! Your head is the one thing that cannot be replaced and they are by far the best helmets in the world.
9- Would you like to be involved in a motorcycle team again, either as a rider, or in another role?
Maybe later but right now I'm happy with my new adventure of cycling and to be honest it seems that motorsport ( the racing segment) is in not really moving forward despite what seems to be best efforts. I'm happy to do bits and pieces here and there and you will see me pop up on bikes soon enough, but as they say a change is as good as a holiday and right now, I'm enjoying the Bahamas....
10- If I offered to buy you a sportsbike today, which bike would you choose?
Do high end cycles fall into Sportsbike? If so a Specialized Venge! But Sportbike with a motor? I really don't get excited about motorcycles anymore, having spent over half my life with them not much really impresses me anymore, unless of course Moto GP bikes become available then one of those will do fine! (tdp- I'II take that as a Ducati Desmo then!)
Shannon we'd like to thank you for answering our questions, and wish you the best of luck in your cycling. You can follow Shannons cycling career on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Shannon-Johnson/128402363903234
Cycling Career Results
Victorian Masters Criterium Championships 2nd
UCI Road Race World Qualifier Event Perth 3rd
UCI Time Trial World Qualifier Event Rottnest Island 1st
Victorian Masters Criterium Championships 2nd
UCI Road Race World Qualifier Event Perth 3rd
UCI Time Trial World Qualifier Event Rottnest Island 1st
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