Alan Kempster raced in Mugello for the first edition of Di.Di. World Bridgestone Cup
International competition for disabled riders – he tells his story
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The first edition of Di.Di. Bridgestone World Cup, the international competition for disabled riders, was also the occasion to meet Alan Kempster, who arrived from Australia to take part to the world race.
Fifty-two year-old, Alan Kempster has lost his right arm and leg after a car accident caused by a drunken car-driver. But the impairment was not sufficient to mitigate his passion for motorcycling.
On his motorbike, the number that he has adopted is “half”, which speaks clearly about his irony.
To have Alan coming from Australia, the non-profit organization Di.Di. organized a fundraising marathon via Facebook, which has led to the achievement of the sum necessary for the plane ticket.
Alan Kempster rides without the use of prosthesys, keeping well balanced on the saddle of the bike as if nothing had happened. Alan finished the race in fourth position.
“Racing in Mugello was fantastic”, Alan said. “but it is a very demanding track, because it is very fast, with most right-hander corners. I am a bit disappointed because I did not catch the podium, but it was my first time in this track, my first time on the Suzuki and my first race on a 600 cc, since I’ve always raced with 400 cc.
“Besides, the special commands on my left handlebar gave me some problems to my hand, and the tank was much smaller and slimmer than the one I am accustomed to, so I had to be careful not to slip off, and had to ride in a very advanced position on the saddle, which is not very natural.
“In the end, because of the rain on saturday, I did miss one free practice session, so I had very little time to ‘learn’ the track. Considering all these facts, I can be satisfied with my fourth position, but above all I am happy I was in the starting grid of the first world race for disabled riders, representing Australia”.
In the video, Alan Kempster is interviewed at Mugello.
