Fantastic Man

FANTASTIC MAN

AUTUMN & WINTER 2014

£6.00 / $14.99

Mr. CARL FOGARTY Legend of World Superbike Racing

FANTASTIC MAN

The cover story of this issue in FANTASTIC MAN celebrates over the success of ‘King of World Superbike racing’, Mr. CARL FOGARTY. With four World Superbike championships, FOGARTY shows no sign of stopping, as he accelerates into the jungle on ITV’s ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’.

Text & Photography

ALEXIS GAVAN - 220 -

PROFILE

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FANTASTIC MAN

“I’m just mentally strong to carry on.”

Mid-afternoon as I arrive at CARL FOGARTY’S beautiful house in Blackburn, Lancashire, greeted by an over excited Jack Russell and Labrador as I make my way to their front door, with… the promised kettle. Getting closer, I begin to realise…

FOGARTY, also known as ‘FOGGY’, has played a prank on me. “I didn’t think you would actually bring a kettle” FOGGY puns as I act cool and answer “Thought you might want a brew”.

FOGGY then gets comfortable on his stylish kitchen sofa, looking smug. This was the first sign of his joking manner. We begin to talk, with the football playing quietly in the background.

In our unpredictable couple of hours together the conversation sways from subject to subject. Mr. FOGARTY knew he would follow his father’s footsteps: “It’s in my blood. Whatever you’re brought up with, chances are, you’ll end up doing it. I just wanted to be world champion... as ya do.”

What’s his highlight been?

“Winning the first world championship in Australia, 1994. I had just lost out in ‘93.

I’ll always have - that - one.” He raises his eyebrows, impressed with himself, years after. In 2000 FOGGY was in a freak crash and shattered his shoulder: “There’s no coming back from that”, he exclaims, while fidgeting, constantly fiddling with his fingers.

Eventually he carries on speaking. “It became clear my shoulder would never be the same. The decision was made for me, to retire.”

I wonder what he found most challenging?

“All the travelling, qualifying and testing. It’s finding the motivation to get everything right for that Sunday race.”

FOGGY has always been too selfcritical to watch himself race: “I always think I should have done better. I had so much pressure from everybody and myself, to win.” It was a relief when FOGGY retired, he felt. “The adrenaline thing was never there for me. It was more about winning, but hairs on the back of my head stand up thinking about stepping on that top podium, with the national anthem playing. That was a buzz.” As he touches his head “Nothing will ever replace that, but I am mentally strong to carry on.”

I question Mr. FOGARTY about his rivals, relating it to ‘F1 with James Hunt and Niki Lauda’. Proudly name dropping he states: “Oooooh yeah. I didn’t like anybody, and they hated me. I had three main rivals, we were like boxers slagging each other off before a fight. It was with Scott Russell, Colin Edwards and John Kocinski. I look back now and think, I can’t believe I said that.” He folds his arms and says: “Nowadays, everyone acts like best mates and go rock climbing together.

Hmmmm, people are weird.” I sense jealousy in his tone of voice.

FOGGY begins to tease me with a huge grin on his face when I ask “Have you got any exciting projects or challenges to face in the future?”

“Yeaaaah, I have, but I can’t tell you” laughing to himself, as I try to wiggle out this hidden information “Its massive n’all, you’ll laugh when you find out. That’s it.”

He was right. I did laugh.

The conversation randomly changes to heroes. Hmm, I wonder why? I play along and ask: “Which super hero would you be?”

FOGGY then delivers a delightful last line, using hand gestures imitating super heroes.

“I’d want to fly, like superman. It says it all in the title. Strongest man in the world and he can fly.” Fist pumping the air as we wrap up the conversation having a cup of tea.

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MR. FOGARTY

“Hmmm people are weird.”

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