Startline - Road Racing podcast

Adam “Stretch” Rayner may be a latecomer to motorcycle racing, but he is certainly not short of ambition.

The six-foot-six welder from South Yorkshire candidly admits that his early riding was sometimess reckless. 

A stark warning persuaded Adam to change direction, gain his racing licence and take his natural ability into official competition.

Since beginning racing in 2023, Adam has set his sights firmly on the r...

Markus Karlsson has spent almost his entire life on two wheels.

The 27-year-old Swedish rider received his first motorcycle at the age of two, began racing at seven and grew up surrounded by bikes, with a road-racing father and a mother who served as a motorcycle police officer.

Now Markus is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: making his debut at the Manx Grand Prix in 2026.

In this episode, he tells Beth about building his o...

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to race on the Isle of Man, here is a behind-the-scenes look from someone living the reality.

Growing up, Chris Moore was surrounded by racing - his stepdad was a TT legend, and it all shaped him into a rider who’s been chasing the Isle of Man dream for more than 35 years.

It was a life-changing moment in 1996 which helped open the door to the racing journey that followed. From ...

In this episode of Startline, Beth meets John and Linda Mullin - two people who prove that road racing is held together not just by speed, skill and bravery, but by tea, calm, kindness, knitting, and the odd well-timed nana nap.

From marshalling around the Mountain Course to supporting riders in the paddock, John and Linda share brilliant stories of friendship, teamwork, nerves, laughter and what it really means to be part of the M...

This episode of Startline was recorded in front of a live audience at The George in Castletown on the Isle of Man.

Beth catches up with Isle of Man road racer Grant Thomson after a season that has already brought incredible highs and difficult lows.

From a tough first outing at the North West 200 to standing on the top step twice at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races, Grant reflects on how 2026...

This week on Startline, we’re joined by Aaron West, a racer from Colorado with one of the most unusual routes to the Manx Grand Prix you’re likely to hear.

Aaron didn’t grow up on two wheels. In fact, he only learned to ride a bicycle after seeing TT highlights at the age of 19 and deciding, almost immediately, that one day he wanted to race on the Isle of Man.

Since then, he’s gone from a professional ice h...

This week on Startline, we meet Andrew Coulter -  a Manx Grand Prix 2026 newcomer from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who has spent years quietly carrying a dream that first started when he was just a kid riding bikes in the street.

Andrew’s route to the Mountain Course hasn't been instant or easy. There have been gaps, setbacks, crashes, work pressures, family life and all the usual chaos that comes with trying to go racing...

What makes someone spend years chasing a dream that most people would never dare attempt? And what is it about road racing that keeps people coming back, despite the risks, the setbacks, and the sacrifices?

In this episode, Beth Espey sits down with Irish road racer and psychologist Stephen Walsh, whose life is split between brain injury rehabilitation by day and classic motorcycle racing at weekends.

And while they discuss Stephen...

In this episode, we meet Brandon Kavanagh - a 27-year-old racer from County Wexford who is already making his mark on the roads.

Brandon made his Manx Grand Prix debut last year, hitting his target of a 110mph lap, and he’s now preparing to return with the Roadhouse Macau Racing Team on a new Suzuki GSX-R 750.

But Brandon’s story isn’t just about riding. He’s grown up around bikes, works long days before hea...

In this episode of Startline, Beth Espey is joined by Irish road racer Andy Farrell - a rider with two Manx Grand Prix wins, membership of the Tommy Club, and more than a few stories from a life spent around bikes.

Andy’s love of racing started in Skerries and what began as a fairly impulsive decision to go road racing turned into a 20-year journey through Irish national road races, the Manx Grand Prix, podiums, crashes and c...

In this episode of Startline, we meet Fraser Heginson - a Manx-based rider whose love of bikes runs through just about every part of his life.

From growing up around the TT paddock and watching his heroes on the Mountain Course, to racing CB500s, Aprilias, classics, and even having the odd go as a sidecar passenger, Fraser’s story is full of humour, honesty and genuine passion for the sport.

Now he’s preparing for his f...

In today's episode we are talking again about the 2026 Pre-TT Classic Road races.

We speak to some riders taking it on the Billown Course for the first time, while others are back for another go.

Liam Wood, Ben Grainger, Lee Stanaway and George Anderson talk us through their newcomer prep, while Wayne Avis and Adam Randells share what it’s like to return to the event.

The Pre-TT is on from Friday 22 until Sunday 24 ...

In this episode of Startline, we turn our attention to the Billown Course and the Pre-TT Classic Road Races, taking place on the Isle of Man on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May.

Organised by the Southern 100 Club, the Pre-TT has become one of the standout fixtures in the Classic racing calendar - a proper “must-do” meeting that regularly attracts well over 250 entries across its nine-race programme.

Among this year’s newco...

In this episode of Startline we are with Charlie Hopkins - a Yorkshireman with a love of tea, a sharp eye for an auction bargain, and a growing passion for racing on the Isle of Man.

Charlie’s journey has taken him from casual biking and pit bikes to the challenge of the Manx Grand Prix in 2025, where ambition, preparation and belief all met on the Mountain Course.

He talks honestly about what it took to get there, from the n...

In this episode of Startline, we meet Lorenz Rothärmel, a rider whose road racing dream has brought him from Germany to the Isle of Man and to one of the biggest challenges in the sport - the Manx Grand Prix 2026.

Lorenz shares how his passion for road racing first began, what drew him to the Mountain Course, and how he is preparing himself for the demands of racing on Manx public roads.

We talk bike set-up, physical fitness, menta...

In this episode of Startline, we meet a rider whose story is built on discipline, determination and a relentless drive to chase the dream.

Shane Doran is balancing two worlds that both demand absolute commitment - a career in the military, and the challenge of road racing.

And now, he’s setting his sights firmly on the Manx Grand Prix for 2026.

From early inspirations and family support, to the realities of learning the Mount...

Behind every rider chasing a dream around the Mountain Course on the Isle of Man, there’s a story that goes far beyond the bike.

In this episode of Startline, we explore the vital role of sponsorship in motorcycle racing and the people who make it all possible.

Ray Goodwin joins us as a passionate supporter of Manx riders, committed to helping local talent reach the start line and take their next step in the sport. Alongside ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Whitehall - a rider whose determination and pace mark him out as one to watch.

From the Isle of Wight and racing under WR Racing, Ryan has steadily built his road racing career since 2018. After overcoming a serious crash in 2021, he’s returned stronger, with standout performances across the roads scene.

2025 proved a breakthrough year, with Ryan securing his first Manx Grand Prix p...

On the podcast today, Beth is with TT 2026 newcomer Rhys Stevenson.

At just 20 years old, Rhys has already made a serious impression in British Championship racing since making his debut in 2021, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents.

He races under the banner of his family-run team, Rocket Racing - and it really is a true family effort, with his three younger brothers also competing, and Mum ...