Born in 1985, James Hillier is a professional rider who has turned his childhood dream of racing motorcycles into a successful career in road racing and rally raids, where speed and adventure come as a package. Having started out with trial biking and grown up with off-road riding, he soon discovered a passion for road racing, and was drawn in particular to the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, the treacherous 60.7 km Mountain Course, and its centuries-old history.
Hillier talks about how he prepares for races, both technically and mentally, the lessons he has learned on the track, and how he is more interested into beating the clock that the head-to-head battle with his opponents, a common element in his TT, which he won in the Lightweight class in 2013, and in the Dakar, where he made his debut in 2023, completing it in ‘23, ‘25, but unfortunately not in 2026 due to injury.
Between memories of unforgettable races and dreams yet to be realized, James offers us a frank glimpse into what it really means to live life at full throttle, always with an eye on safety, a topic that is close to our hearts at Dainese.
James, what was your dream as a child?
“I always dreamed of racing motorcycles, not in any particular special area, but I wanted to make it to a world championship. Of course, I also dreamed of riding in the TT on the Isle of Man, which I attended for the first time when I was 11.”
At what age and how did you get into motorcycles?
“I got on a motorcycle for the first time at the age of 6, on a trial bike - a Yamaha TY 80. I was more attracted to motocross because of the speed, but we didn’t have much money, so trial, which was less expensive, seemed like the best option for us to continue practicing without spending a fortune. My first memory of motorcycles is probably the crash I had the first time I rode one, straight away with the clutch and the gears - I ended up riding straight into a fence.”
After starting out in off-road racing, why did you shift to road racing instead of track racing?
“For me, it’s not so much about being on the road itself, but more about racing in TT - because it’s a time trial, you’re racing alone. I like speed, but then I was very drawn to the Mountain circuit, which is very long, with lots of curves and different situations. In terms of TT , I am also fascinated by the great history behind it; after all, it is the oldest race in the world that’s still in existence.”
What is your favorite part of the route?
"It may seem strange, but it changes every time, because I always learn something new. From year to year, I get better at one section, while I might find some other parts more difficult. But when I manage to make something click do better than the previous year, then I can enjoy that particular stretch of the route more. In general, I like fast corners, like at Gorse Lea, a blind bend that you have to take at almost full throttle on a Superbike, which gives you a real adrenaline rush.
The great thing about TT is that even after years of racing, you continue to learn, and I feel like I’m learning something about myself too. Getting to know the track feels difficult, but it’s actually the easiest part.The difficult thing is controlling your mind, for example on blind corners. I see it as an instinct of self-preservation - alarm bells go off in your brain telling you to dial down the gas, but actually, where necessary, you have to turn that instinct off and keep pushing if you want to be fast.”
In addition to TT, as we understand, you also enjoy off-road riding. What appeals to you most?
“To be honest, I’m not a big fan of motocross. I like riding trials, because it’s the discipline I started with and because it teaches you how to control the bike, but rally raids and the Dakar are what I love the most. I remember watching it on TV as a boy. It’s a big challenge, very demanding. At Dakar, I’m not so interested in the rankings, I’m just interested in finishing. It’s more of an adventure than a normal race, you never know what you'll encounter.”
What has been your most memorable racing experience?
“In 2015, I finished second in the Senior TT between John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, two legends. It’s probably my best result, and the one I'm most proud of. Even more than when I won the Lightweight in 2013, because not all the top riders were there in that race, whereas in the Senior they were, so it meant even more to me.”
What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career so far?
“I have come to realize that you have to know how to enjoy the moment. Sometimes, when you’re young, you work really hard to achieve something, but at times it’s better to take a step back and appreciate what’s happening to you. It’s difficult because you have to stay focused and it takes discipline, but you also have to realize what you have and what you've achieved.”
How do you train for road races?
“Clearly, you can’t recreate the situation and conditions you find in a race; you can't go out on the road to practice, but I believe that enduro is good training because it keeps you on the bike for several hours. In general, I try to keep fit, especially in the period immediately before the TT, while after that I like to relax and enjoy the pleasure of food.”
How do you mentally prepare for the race?
“Basically, I try to stay calm, not overthink things, and remain relaxed. It’s strange, because I get more nervous when I race in local enduro competitions. During the TT, on the other hand, I race alone, it’s just me and my bike; I trust the mechanics completely, that’s all there is to it.”
What do you still want to learn?
“I would like to be faster on short circuits and I’d like to race in a few endurance races, like a 24-hour race. I would also like to learn more about motorcycling technique. I think I’m a decent mechanic, but you can always improve and gain experience.”
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to become a professional rider?
“You have to train and put in a lot of preparation, work hard, and be disciplined. It’s not an easy path, but if you truly believe in it, things will happen.”
Who is your all-time favorite rider?
“Joey Dunlop in terms of road racing, and Valentino Rossi on the track.”
Now let’s talk a bit about your Dainese clothing. Which is your favorite article of clothing to wear during a race?
“I would say the D-air® airbag suit: when I zip up and do up the buttons, I feel really reassured; it gives me a nice feeling of safety. I think that once a rider tries it, they can no longer race without it. Incidentally, in recent years I have noticed a significant improvement, especially in terms of comfort and overall weight.”
What could be improved further?
“It’s hard to say, things are already at a very high level and we are now proceeding in small steps, unlike in the 70s or 80s when you could invent something that revolutionized everything overnight.”
How can you feel safe traveling at 200 km/h between lampposts and stone walls?
Sometimes people tell us we’re crazy for racing like this, and honestly, I understand why they say that, but in reality, riding in the TT is totally calculated, nothing is improvised, I know where I have to go, I focus on what I can control and that's how I keep my fear at bay.”
Do your children ride motorcycles?
“I have three children, two boys and a girl. The boys are interested in bikes for now, they ride mountain bikes, do jumps, they’re interested in speed and motorcycles, but I don’t want them to end up racing TT. I’d like them to experience that feeling, but I’d be really worried.
However, I also think that if my parents had prevented me from pursuing my dream, I would have been very upset. So I don’t want to do that with them, but I tend to encourage them towards other areas of the sport, such as mechanics or simply towards enjoying motorcycles as a hobby rather than professionally.”
What is your next goal?
“I want to win a Senior TT, the most important race in the world when it comes to road racing. I want to continue competing in the Dakar Rally and, as I said, try to participate in a world endurance race.”
