Racing: A subtle blend of psychology and extreme violence

There’s a rare breed of man for whom highsides, front end slides and braking-when-you-see-God isn’t just normal, it’s deliberate. In the latest issue of MCN, out September 18, we get inside the scary place that’s the mind of a top racer.

In our special four-page feature, we talk to some of the world’s best riders, men like Max Biaggi and Randy Mamola to try and understand what separates mere mortals from the gods of the Tarmac.

How Eddie Lawson would lock the front at 150mph to better gauge the grip of his tyres or how Shinya Nakona prefers to brake later and later and his tyres go off. We can see the logic in that…

PLUS:

Your FREE 16-page supplement – The 50 Bikes Everyone Must Ride.

*Suzuki’s new SV1000 – at £6000, could this 115bhp twin be the most fun we’ll have next year?

*The new face of the GSX-R1000

*First pictures of Honda’s super-cruiser Valkyrie replacement, the 1832cc Rune

*News on the Ago tribute MV Agusta F4

*Details on the re-birth of the British twin

*The 2003 Yamaha Fazer colours coming to the UK

*Exclusive: Fine tuned 2003 Aprilia RSV-R to take the fight to Ducati’s 999

*First pictures of the Ducati 749 and 2003 Superport and Monster ranges

*Big bore scooters

*NEW BIKERS – expert advice on passing your test, first time

*Road Test Idol – now we’re down to the (almost) famous five

*ROAD TEST – Aprilia’s super roadster, the Tuono Fighter

*ROAD TEST – Kymco’s V-twin 250 cruiser, at 125 money

*LONG TERM TEST – Kawasaki ZZ-R1200

*Our special feature looks inside the scary minds of racing’s top men

*Buying and Owning – Honda Hornet 600F

*New products looks at what’s new in the world of biking bits, with an exclusive preview of the new Playstation 2 bike sim: Riding Spirits.

*What’s On examines what to do and where to go over the next seven days

*We’ve got all the best bike sport action analysed by the world’s top WSB/GP/BSB reporters. There are TWO top championships going down to the wire on the same day we look at who’s got the tackle and the mental toughness to win the British and the World Superbike titles.

PLUS there’s your FREE issue of MCN Bike Mart, the place to buy or sell you next bike. It’s all in the latest issue of MCN, out September 18.