Home Podcasts Startline - Road Racing podcast
Startline - Road Racing podcast

Startline - Road Racing podcast

Beth Espey 45 Episodes Sep 17, 2026

Startline goes behind the visors with Radio TT and Manx Grand Prix presenter Beth Espey, as she uncovers what it really takes to earn a spot on the grid of the Isle of Man Mountain Course. The podcast explores the physical strength, mental endurance, and race bike toughness required for riders chasing a place on the start line of this iconic and dangerous road racing circuit.

Episodes

Startline Ep 61 - Martin Clare & Amanda Mason: Life's too short, just say yes.
Startline Ep 61 - Martin Clare & Amanda Mason: Life's too short, just say yes. Sep 17, 2026 2206 For some people, racing is something they’ve been doing all their lives. For Martin Clare and Amanda Mason, the journey has been a little less straightforward. In this episode of Startline, we catch up with the pair in the Manx Grand Prix paddock to talk about how they found their way into racing, their love of the roads, a new sidecar partnership that is very much still a work in progress and why
Startline Ep 60 - Ben Wilkinson: From Birmingham to Bray Hill, the MGP dream
Startline Ep 60 - Ben Wilkinson: From Birmingham to Bray Hill, the MGP dream Sep 10, 2026 2429 Ben Wilkinson has one goal firmly in his sights: racing at the Manx Grand Prix. After beginning on motocross bikes at the age of 11, Ben moved into circuit racing before turning his attention to the roads. But his journey suffered a painful setback following this year’s Southern 100, when a low-speed road-bike accident left his shoulder broken in four places and his arm out of its socket for four
Startline Ep 59 - How was it for you? MGP 2026 newcomers and a sidecar experience
Startline Ep 59 - How was it for you? MGP 2026 newcomers and a sidecar experience Sep 3, 2026 2766 In this episode, we catch up with previous Startliners Illiam Quayle, Markus Karlsson, Andy Herd and Andrew Coulter to find out how Manx Grand Prix 2026 lived up to the dream. We hear how they expected it to be, what was the reality was like, their advice for anyone wanting to be a newcomer in 2027 and most importantly - whether they want to do it again... You can find Illiam Quayle Facebook and I
Startline Ep 58 - Laurent Hoffmann: The comeback
Startline Ep 58 - Laurent Hoffmann: The comeback Aug 27, 2026 1979 Belgian racer Laurent Hoffman has been back on the Isle of Man Mountain Course after a 12-year gap, and the comeback story is even more dramatic than it sounds. After a crash at TT 2014 left him in a wheelchair and doctors telling him he’d likely never ride again, he returned to the Island with a rebuilt team, years of preparation, and some clear goals. Laurent shares the inside story of growing
Startline Ep 57 - Richard 'Eggy' Eglin: The nearly man
Startline Ep 57 - Richard 'Eggy' Eglin: The nearly man Aug 20, 2026 3049 In this episode, Beth chats to motorcycle racer Richard 'Eggy' Eglin about more than 30 years of racing, from his first time at Mallory Park in 1991 to competing at the Southern 100 and Ulster Grand Prix. Richard talks openly about his recent S100 victory, the challenges and costs of racing, the importance of the people who support him, and why the racing community means so much to him. He also sh
Startline Ep 56 - The Manx Grand Prix 2026 preview: John McBride and Ned Bowers
Startline Ep 56 - The Manx Grand Prix 2026 preview: John McBride and Ned Bowers Aug 13, 2026 1556 The waiting is almost over. The paddock is beginning to fill, the tents are going up and, after a year of planning, the 2026 Manx Grand Prix is suddenly very real. In this episode of Startline, we’re at the TT Grandstand with Manx Motor Cycle Club Chairman John McBride and Secretary and Treasurer Ned Bowers for a final look ahead before the action gets under way. We talk about an exciting internat
Startline Ep 54 - Kyle Casement: From motorcross to Bray Hill
Startline Ep 54 - Kyle Casement: From motorcross to Bray Hill Aug 6, 2026 1847 Motorcycles have been part of Kyle Casement’s life for as long as he can remember. Raised in a motocross family, Kyle began riding as a young child and went on to compete in British Championship events, beach races and arena cross. He later qualified as an electrician before establishing BVS Vehicles - a business that began with selling a few cars to help fund his racing and now plays a central pa
Startline Ep 53 - Adam 'Stretch' Rayner: Finding the racing line
Startline Ep 53 - Adam 'Stretch' Rayner: Finding the racing line Jul 30, 2026 2091 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 sigh
Startline Ep 52 - Markus Karlsson: New Dad, newcomer, no giving up
Startline Ep 52 - Markus Karlsson: New Dad, newcomer, no giving up Jul 23, 2026 1891 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,
Startline Ep 51 - Chris & Lorna Moore: Racing, romance and a windfall
Startline Ep 51 - Chris & Lorna Moore: Racing, romance and a windfall Jul 16, 2026 1831 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
Startline Ep 50 - John and Linda Mullin: Tea, Knitting and nana naps
Startline Ep 50 - John and Linda Mullin: Tea, Knitting and nana naps Jul 9, 2026 1556 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
Startline Ep 49 -  Grant Thomson recorded live at the George
Startline Ep 49 - Grant Thomson recorded live at the George Jul 2, 2026 3214 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 has unf

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