Don't read the Guardian, and I've never met Marc Potter or spoken to Adam Duckworth.
I have seen Duckworth though, he was at Rockingham when I did CSS level 2 with Jon and Guido. He is undeniably fat. I have rarely seen anyone fatter. He was riding a Gixer Thou, that looked as if it was about to disappear up his jacksie.
Now, I have got a relatively slow bike, but on a twisty circuit like Rockingham National it's a good leveller, because it's mostly about corner speed and using two valve grunt to get good drive out. I was able to stay in close touch following Guido on his 748R and we were both going round the outside of machinery like Milles, R1's and stuff that we had no right to be doing if you compare the bikes on paper.
On one session I was cranked hard over on a corner where, for me, I was particularly quick (fast right hander immediately after the 'chicane' ), it's a place where I had been comfortably whizzing past people on the exit. Duckworth came past me on the outside like I was standing still and just cleared off.
He may be fat, he may be a t.w.a.t, but he's quick.
[Edited on 26-3-2004 by Jools]