Andy Ibbott

Andy is a 52 years old athlete who overcame a lifelong challenge. After being hospitalized in 2011 for a minor procedure, Andy has suffered a stroke that affected his capacity to walk and speak. This unfortunate incident gave rise to years of convalescence, recovery and struggle. With the support of his wife and his unprecedented passion for athleticism and racing, Andy has regained his functions. Today, Andy is still suffering the aftermath of that tremendous episode although his health improved. He was left with aphasia, but he has never saw it as an obstacle. Andy thrived to build up a life from scratch, leading it towards the successful story he proudly tells today.

Andy rode motorcycles from the age of 14. His first engine was a 50cc Gilera, but throughout years of experience he has grown familiar with a multitude of bike models. Andys 6 year career as a test riding journalist has offered him a solid understanding of motorcycles and their manufacturers .

In 1996 he came across the California Superbike School. With Keith Code as his partner, Andy has decided to set up his own school, known today as The California Superbike School of UK. 19 years later the business has expanded. At the moment, Andy runs schools in Norway, Ireland, South Africa and India and all points in between. This project eventually became the main connection Andy had with the racing world. He coached Rossi (multiple World Champion), Tom Luthi (125 World Champion), Sandro Cortese (250 World Champion), Lean Camier (British Superbike Champion,) and countless others.

Andy was a keen runner and completed most of the World Fame tracks.

April 2011 was the year he discovered a small lump on the left side of his throat. He went to Oxford Hospital to undergo a simple operation. The surgery should have taken an hour and a half semi-conscious. However, a stroke of bad luck kept him unconscious for 10 hours. He remained hospitalized in ICU (|Intensive care unit) for 10 days, it was a negative result, 75% would say he was die. But after six months, he was released, but he has suffered semnificative damage that brought him on the verge of suicide. Six more years down the line he has proved the world what faith and perseverance can bring along. Andy was finally able to walk and talk again.

This year, he has participated on the MDS. The MdS is a multi-day ultra-marathon or ultra run in six days over a course of between 150 and 156 (254km) miles. The Marathon des Sables unfolds in the Sahara desert and the temperature fluctuates between 55 degrees during the day and 1 degree at night! He was the first person with a disability to complete the race. The London Marathon (2018) is next to come.