Motorbikes and Marathons: Andy Ibbott's story Andy Ibbott and Nicola Drew
Event details
Before 2011, Andy Ibbott was a leading UK motorsport journalist, test rider and motorcycle racing coach to some of the biggest names in the sport, including Valentino Rossi, Sandro Cortese and Thomas Luthi.
However, his world was turned upside down when he experienced a life-changing stroke which left him unable to walk, talk or eat. Andy has spent the last 14 years in relentless rehabilitation with a sheer determination to get back to what he loves doing.
Today, Andy continues to be a global motorcycle coach, training riders of all ages, including British and World Champions. He is also a published author of two books, a charities champion and an adventurer who has faced the challenge of walking to Everest Base Camp, taken part in the gruelling Marathon de Sable and completed the London marathon.
Join Andy for an inspiring in-conversation event as he discusses his life and career with Nicola Drew of the University of York. Hear the amazing story of how resilience, determination and tenacity can overcome any obstacle and become an opportunity for growth, achievement and change.
This event will take place live on Zoom Webinar. You will receive a link to join a couple of days before the event and a reminder an hour before. During the event, you can ask questions via a Q&A function, but audience cameras and microphones will remain muted throughout.
Book sales
You can buy copies of many of our speakers’ books from Fox Lane Books, a local independent bookseller and Festival partner. In some cases, author signed bookplates are available too.
Image credit: Joshua Richh
About the speakers
Andy Ibbott is a legend of the motorcycle racing paddock: a celebrated motorsport journalist, test rider, accomplished author, and trusted instructor to elite motorcycle racers, celebrities and British royalty. As previous head coach of the California Superbike School, his life revolved around speed and precision. But in 2011, he suffered a devastating stroke during a routine hospital operation. Despite losing the use of the right side of his body and having to learn to speak again, Andy has turned adversity into opportunity. His story is a powerful reminder that it’s not our hardships that define us, but our courage and determination to rise above them.
Nicola Drew is a doctoral researcher in Sociology at the University of York, UK. Her research examines the experiences of being an elite motorcycle racer in the British Superbike competition - the pinnacle motorcycle racing championship in the British Isles. Prior to undertaking her doctoral studies, Nicola combined a professional teaching career with motorsport and motorcycle-related journalism. In 2016, she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, London, with recognised research interests in motorcycle racing and motorcycling communities.
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