Startline is a podcast about all things road racing.
Radio TT and Manx Grand Prix presenter Beth Espey talks to riders, teams and organisers of events both on the Isle of Man and further afield to find out what it really takes to earn a spot on the grid.
If you would like to get involved, email beth@startline.im (mailto:beth@startline.im)
Startline Ep 68 - It was never the plan….until it became everything: Kristýna Jakesch
Sometimes the best journeys in motorsport are the ones you never planned.
For Czech road racing rider Kristýna Jakesch, what began almost by coincidence has developed into a passion that has become a huge part of her life. Having started racing around nine years ago, Kristýna has worked her way through the challenges of learning the sport, finding opportunities to develop and establishing herself in an increasingly competitive racing environment.
Based in Brno, home to the famous Masaryk Circuit, Kristýna balances her racing ambitions with a demanding career in cyber security management. Funding much of her own racing journey, she has built her experience through determination, hard work and the support of some fantastic people along the way.
Now, a new and exciting chapter is on the horizon. Having fallen in love with the TT paddock and the incredible community surrounding the Isle of Man races, Kristýna is setting her sights on the Manx Grand Prix.
We chat about her unconventional introduction to motorcycle racing, the challenges of being a female rider, the importance of the people around her and why she believes that preparation, patience and enjoying the journey are just as important as the results.
It's a story of unexpected opportunities, determination and daring to imagine something that once seemed completely out of reach.
If you would like to follow Kristýna's progress, you can find her on Facebook here and Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im
29 Oct 2026
Startline Ep 67 - Twenty-ish Bikes and a 100-Mile-an-Hour Dream: Jeff Smith
What does it take to keep chasing a dream when the finish line is never quite the end of the story?
In this episode, Beth sits down with classic motorcycle racer Jeff Smith to talk about a lifetime spent on two wheels, the friendships forged through racing, and the special place the Isle of Man holds in his heart.
From racing around a warehouse on a childhood mini bike with his brother to winning the British Endurance Championship and making his debut on the Isle of Man in 2014, Jeff’s journey hasn't been completely straightforward. There have been broken bikes, broken bones, financial sacrifices and plenty of adventures along the way - but never any shortage of enthusiasm.
Jeff shares what makes the Island so special, why the Classic TT is about far more than winning, and how receiving the Spirit of the Classic award in 2025 meant so much to him. We also hear about the people who have supported him, his plans for the 2027 races and the ambition that continues to drive him: achieving that 100-mile-an-hour lap.
And, of course, there’s plenty of humour along the way - including a rather flexible answer to the question of exactly how many bikes he owns...
This is a conversation about passion, perseverance, friendship and the joy of simply being part of something you love.
If you would like to follow Jeff on social media, he's on Facebook here and Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im
22 Oct 2026
Startline Ep 66 - What a difference a year makes: Back with Ashley Robson
A year ago, Startline began with a conversation and a dream.
Our very first guest, Ashley Robson, was hoping to make it to the Manx Grand Prix. Twelve months later, she's back - and this time she's got an incredible story to tell.
From the nerves and excitement of her first solo lap of the Mountain Course to breaking the 100mph barrier and securing a ninth-place class finish at the Classic TT, it's been a remarkable year for Ash.
She joins Beth to reflect on the experience, the extraordinary support of her family and team, the friendships and atmosphere in the paddock, and the hard work behind making a dream come true.
Ash also has some valuable advice for aspiring newcomers, particularly those who've faced disappointment in the entry process - she's living proof that persistence pays off.
And with the MGP now under her belt, there's already another ambition on the horizon...
One year since our very first episode, we're back where Startline began - celebrating just how far one rider has come, and looking ahead to where the road might take her next.
You can find Ashley on Facebook here and Instagram here.
The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.
Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there.
And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im
Inside a recent episode
Startline Ep 31 - Jack Fowler: "My brain's like a washing machine."
Published 5 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And one of the things he said at the end was that if anyone is a bit off with you or doesn't seem themselves, you should grunt them that kind of space, if you know what I mean, because of the stresses, and, you know, he was a multiple TT winner, so he's certainly speaking from experience. […]
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