Your Professional Q-Ride Motorcycle Rider Training Company
Bernie Hatton
Top Rider Director & Principal InstructorIt’s been nearly 30 years since Bernie had the concept of a training organisation that went far beyond just getting new riders to road licence levels. Armed with his own knowledge gathered from national racing and his inbuilt passion for everything two wheels, he set about deconstructing and debunking the various methods of riding and racing a motorcycle, rebuilding the best and most essential elements into Top Rider’s unique Advanced Riding Schools. Combining a natural orator’s delivery with a cheeky grin, Bernie’s aim is to ensure that every pupil leaves armed with real-world knowledge. And a smile. In 2013, Bernie was the expert riding coach on Channel One’s successful reality series: The Ultimate Rider, co-presenting alongside former MotoGP star, Daryl Beattie. This year, Bernie has been appointed to the Board of the National Coaching committee. His ultimate goal is very simple; “I want each one of my students to understand and enjoy motorcycling as much as I do.”
George Clark
Advanced Rider Trainer and Mechanic Calm. Methodical. Observant. If you could master those three attributes then you’d be a damn fine instructor. Or, as we’d say, you’d be George Clark. A seasoned road rider and racer, his bike skills are never in question. But it’s the manner in which he can put even the most nervous student at ease that makes George such an essential member of Team Top Rider.
Shawn Giles
Advanced Rider Instructor Triple Australian champion isn’t a title that gets banded around very often, but that shows the depth, knowledge and skill of Shawn Giles. After retiring in 2011, Shawn knew that to end his motorcycling journey there would be a waste of two decades of racing experience, so he joined Top Rider to pass on mental and physical attributes that are needed to ride at the very top level. Shawn’s superbike background, combined with Top Rider’s unique Advanced Level training, means that you’ll be the real winner attending one of these courses.
Ricky Respondek
Senior Instructor Ricky is one of the hardest-working members of our instructing team. She has been teaching students from the Gold Coast to Cairns and out to Mt Isa for (as she puts it) 9 AWESOME years and still loving it! As well as motorcycle instruction and licensing, Ricky also conducts our ATV and Quad Certificate courses.
Glenn Scott
Advanced Rider Instructor By the time Glenn was 15 he had won more than 42 State titles and 8 Australian titles. After switching from dirt bikes to road racing, won the 125cc Australian Superbike Championship. In doing so, Glenn had 10 straight wins across Australia and broke 2 lap records to be crowned 125GP Australian Champion. 2012 would see Glenn, with his brother Greg, create their own Super Sport team -Glenn Scott Racing/YRD with the support of Yamaha. Glenn instructors at many of our Advanced Rider Training days and what a great opportunity for our riders to learn from his up-to-date riding knowledge.
Matt & Nikki Anderson
Top Rider Instructors Complimenting Ricky Respondek as she criss-crosses Queensland are Top Rider’s own dynamic duo of Matt and Nikki Anderson. Combining their love of travel, motorcycles and a passion of passing on their vast experiences gained through training and lives in the saddle, these guys are essential in helping our rural customers find freedom. So what do these two get up to when not travelling the land or instructing? Nothing more than riding their quad bikes. It’s clear that motorcycles (both two- and four-wheeled) are more than just a pastime to them; it’s their passion
Gareth Jones
Advanced Rider TrainerFrom a regional club champion in 2001, to Dutch Superbike champion in 2009, to endurance testing and racing in 2014, Gareth’s rider bio shows how varied and exciting having the right skills on two wheels can be. And while we can’t guarantee that every student will go on to win a championship in a country where windmills and tulips run wild, we can honestly say that anyone lucky enough to have Gareth as their instructor when he’s back in Australia, will warm to his personal style and massive knowledge.
Ant West
Advanced Rider Trainer From being Australia’s youngest-ever entrant into MotoGP at just 17, it’s a testament to Westy’s training and determination that he’s still competitive on the world stage in 2014. In fact while writing this, he has just won the 2014 Moto2 Assen GP Grand Prix. Throughout this period and beyond, Top Rider’s Bernie Hatton’s had Westy’s corner, in the dual roles of both riding and personal coach. Hailing from a dirt track background, Ant’s known as “The Rain Master,” due to his ability to read the track and conditions, and race (and win) accordingly. When he’s not aiming from the front of the next Moto2 race, Ant often turns up at a Top Rider Advanced Riding school and adds his considerable smarts to the proceedings.
Damien Owens
Top Rider Instructor I may be new to the motorcycling industry, but my passion for motorcycles has been with me for as long as I can remember. Off-road riding has been my stepping stone into the on-road world and I believe that regardless of riding MX /Enduro, on/off road adventure, touring or racing the sense of freedom and the sheer enjoyment that a bike can bring is something that should be grabbed hold of - any chance you have! I have a thirst for knowledge and improvements and love to extend this to as many riders as possible, whether new or old, to one of the best lifestyles you could immerse yourself in. You will not be disappointed in the passion you create yourself when see what these beautiful machines can do for your everyday well-being.
Bernie Hatton
George Clark 
