AMASuperbike.com Mini-Interview: Colin Edwards
amasuperbike.com correspondent rick williams interviewed colin edwards this weekend at the sugo world superbike round. it is presented here for your enjoyment.

Q. RC51 replaces RC45. Honda builds a Twin. Can't beat 'em, join 'em?
A. It's not that. It's if you can't beat 'em, build something and stomp their ass with their own bike. (dean wryly notes, if that is not the quote of the season, i'll eat my hat)

Basically, that's the mentality. I mean, it's 1000cc. It's bigger than a 750 so you've got an advantage right there. It's taken awhile, but they've realized that. Whenever we rode it -- and I don't know if I can really tell you this -- it was 2 to 3k faster in every corner (than the RC45). Every corner. You can just carry more corner speed.
Carl always said the RC45 didn't suit his style, because he couldn't carry the corner speed. Well, it's not that, it's just that the RC45 is not a twin. That's basically in layman's terms what he was bitching about. It's just engine characteristics that allow you to carry more speed. I can't explain it, it's just one of those things.

Q. On the lack of U.S. riders in WSC:
A. We need to see more Americans. Nicky Hayden looks to be the next young promising rider, anyway. You've got a couple of guys who could maybe change their luck and win some races, but as far as I can see, he's the only one.

Q. Taxing training requirements of racing:
A. I've been slack-ass the last couple of weeks, and I'm sore just from yesterday (Friday's practice/qualifying). My chest, my arms, my legs, everything's sore. It's just from not being on a bike basically. To me, it's 90 percent mental, but you've still got to be somewhat physically adapted to it.

Q. Life on the road:
A. I think this year, I've spent maybe a month to a month and a half at home. The rest was in motorhomes and hotels. That part is shit, but it's the price you pay for fame and fortune I guess.

Q. On his promised challenge for the '99 title:
A. Unfortunately, Ducati made a big jump and that screwed all my plans up.

Q. Will you miss the RC45?
A. No, I think the RC45 is done. They've done just about everything they could do with it.

Q. On non-fame in America for motorcycle racers:
A. To be completely honest with you, I kinda like it that way. I can go back home and do my own thing, get jacked with by the cops, they don't know anything about anything. I like it the way it is. When I first got started, I thought "man it sucks" because in the U.S., there's just no notoriety. But now that I'm into it, deep into it, I'm kinda glad it's that way.

Q. On the semi-small crowd for the deciding round of the AMA Superbike final at Pike's Peak:
A. Well, you know, I've been to Road America in '94 when there was 70,000 people. It just depends on how many Harleys are showing up and who's doing what.

Ends