From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Honda people ­ Iain MacPherson

Hard-charging Scotsman Iain MacPherson is enjoying a new-found desire for racing after opting to visit a sports psychologist ­ introducing the seemingly popular sports trend to motorcycle racing.

MacPherson arrived home from a disappointing round three of the World Supersport championship in Japan and decided to take action.

“Things weren¹t right at Sugo,” explains Van Zon Honda rider MacPherson. “I crashed too much in Japan, had no confidence on the bike and had generally lost my way.”

MacPherson chose to follow in the footsteps of many top sporting stars – leading figures in the golf and tennis claim to have rekindled their form and success from such visits.

“I didn’t have a problem with seeking a bit of help,” continues MacPherson. “I knew something wasn’t quite right in my head and it could probably be sorted pretty easily.”

MacPherson’s theory was proven right and after a discussion with his local psychologist the determined CBR600RR rider bounced back with his refreshed outlook at the Monza, Italy fourth round of the series.

He explains: “It’s nothing major that the sports psychologist guy has done, just a combination of little things ­ almost reminding me of why I go
racing!

“I arrived at Monza with a completely new outlook. I made a point of walking the track, writing notes, analysing my approach to each practice session and being more disciplined in general.”

And MacPherson is ready to ignore – with a smile – any cynics who would dismiss the use of a psychologist.

“I’m not bothered what other people think,” says MacPherson. “If you think you’ve got a problem you go and get it sorted and it’s been well worth it for me.”

And the response was impressive as MacPherson took third place in Sunday’s fourth round of the championship at Monza ­ scooping his first championship points of the 2003 campaign.

“Nobody would ever know if visiting a psychologist made any difference but my weekend at Monza was enjoyable, from start to finish,” admits MacPherson. “And the result was right too.”

While most riders’ pre-race options include suspension settings and tyres, MacPherson has just added an ingredient he hopes will set him on his way for a successful 2003 season.

“After Japan I knew it couldn’t really get any worse so visiting the sports psychologist and taking third place at Monza is probably more than a coincidence ­ I’ll be buying him a beer when I get back to Scotland!”