— Hill pulling away in BSB after Oulton hat-trick
Saturday race:
1: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha)
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +4.508s
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +10.339s
4: Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) +15.746s
5: James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +16.256s
6: Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +16.803s
Sunday race one:
1: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha)
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +3.383s
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +6.141s
4: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +6.262s
5: Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) +6.552s
6: Ian Lowry (Padgetts Honda) +11.761
Sunday race two:
1: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +1.135s
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.483s
4: Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) +1.619s
5: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +3.298s
6: Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +7.093s
Championship standings:
1: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 234
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 206
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 205
4: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) 146
5: Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) 104
6: Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) 102
Report
Tommy Hill, the reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike Champion, was in imperious form as he scored a hat-trick of victories in the sixth round at Oulton Park to fire a warning to the pretenders of his crown.
The Swan Yamaha rider had laid down the standard as he took pole start for the opening race on Saturday afternoon which he won ahead of Tyco
Suzuki’s Josh Brookes and he continued that form into the two races on Sunday at the Cheshire circuit.
Hill made the perfect start but had to ride hard in the early stages to hold off his determined team-mate Noriyuki Haga but as the race developed it was again Aussie Brookes who came through into second place, ahead of Shane “Shakey” Byrne aboard the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki. Haga dropped back to fifth, adrift of Samsung Honda’s Michael Laverty.
Hill, who was in a hurry to catch an overnight flight to Japan for a test ahead of the Suzuka Eight Hours race, led the opening lap of the final race but Brookes stole the advantage and hit the front but Hill again regained the lead.
“That was fantastic – my first hat-trick in the series. It is just great to come out on top like this but now I have flight to catch to get out Suzuka,” said Hill. “Did I ease up a bit in the that last race? No, could you not see the target on my back – they all wanted to beat me. They kept me honest out there and I had to ride as hard as I could across the whole weekend – they wanted to beat me, and I was determined they were not going to.”
Byrne took second place ahead of Brookes who dramatically held on as his bike swerved wickedly out of control and all but high-sided him over the handlebars. Brookes landed back on the Tyco Suzuki and lost five places but he fought back to take third with a last lap move on Haga at the final corner.
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship race 1 (10 laps)
1 Billy McConnell (Triumph)
2 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
3 Luke Mossey (Triumph)
4 Pauli Pekkanen (Triumph)
5 Kev Coghlan (Yamaha)
6 Glenn Irwin (Yamaha)
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship race 2 (15 laps)
1 Glen Richards (Triumph)
2 Billy McConnell (Triumph)
3 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
4 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
5 Luke Mossey (Triumph)
6 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
9 Glenn Irwin (Yamaha)
Championship standings (after 6 rounds)
1 Kennedy 198.5pts
2 Richards 189
3 McConnell 174
4 Wilson 154
5 Warren 123
6 Mossey 100
Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (9 laps)
1 David Johnson (BMW)
2 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)
3 Keith Farmer (Kawasaki)
4 Jason O’Halloran (Honda)
5 Howie Mainwaring (BMW)
6 Steve Brogan (BMW)
15 Patrick Medcalf (Kawasaki)
Championship standings (after 8 rounds)
1 Farmer 111pts
2 O’Halloran 105
3 Storrar 98
4 Brogan 90
5 Johnson 90
6 Cox 89
12 Medcalf 33
Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship (12 laps)
1 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)
2 James Lodge (Yamaha)
3 Ben Burke (Yamaha)
4 Jake Dixon (Yamaha)
5 Tom Fisher (Kawasaki)
6 James Rose (Yamaha)
DNF Josh Wainwright (Kawasaki)
Championship standings (after 8 rounds)
1 Burke 132pts
2 Rose 114
3 Jackson 94
4 Dixon 85
5 Whitaker 72
6 Fisher 69
— AP Kawasaki
Oulton Park, Cheshire was the venue for the AP Kawasaki team this weekend with Patrick Medcalf and Josh Wainwright contesting round eight of the Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc and 600cc Championship races.
It proved to be a disappointing weekend though with just Medcalf scoring a point in the Superstock 1000cc race as the Australian rider endured a tough race but his efforts were rewarded with 15th and another championship point. Having qualified in 15th, Patrick was hopeful of getting in amongst the top ten but a sluggish start saw him slip back to 18th, not helped by being hit by another rider. He managed to work his way up to 16th when the safety car came out on lap seven and although racing resumed two laps later, it was soon stopped again after another spill. The result was taken at nine laps and so Patrick added another point to his championship total to move up to 12th overall in the table.
Wainwright, riding at one of his favourite circuits, was hopeful of a top six finish at least and a second row starting position gave him every chance. The Thamesmead rider dropped back to tenth on the opening lap but slowly began to ease his way forward and by half race distance, he was up to eighth. With the second fastest lap of the race, the top six looked a distinct reality but his race ended with three laps to go when he was forced out with a rear wheel puncture.
Patrick Medcalf: “Qualifying went fairly well for me and I made a good start but the work was undone when another rider hit me and I lost a load of places. I managed to claw a few back but I got stuck behind a few riders who I probably shouldn’t have and it upset my rhythm a bit. My corner speed was affected and I lost my momentum but I kept battling and the red flag came at the wrong time as I’d just moved past a couple of riders. It’s another point but I know I’m capable of more so we’ll head to Brands Hatch, a circuit I know and enjoy, and look for a lot better there.”
Josh Wainwright: “It’s been a disappointing end to the weekend and after crashing out of the lead here in May, I was keen to make amends and at least make the top six. I didn’t get the greatest of starts but moved forward a bit and was hopeful of doing more of the same right until the very end but it wasn’t to be. A puncture just shows the kind of luck I’m having at the moment so all I can do is put it behind me and look forward to the next round.”
Alan Greig, Team Manager: “Josh qualified well and the second row was a good position for him although the beginning of the race was hindered slightly when he got tangled up with two more riders. He was looking for a top six finish and still had high hopes of doing that as the race wore on. He was one of the fastest riders on the circuit so to be forced out with a puncture is a tough one to swallow. He had the pace to get a good result so it’s definitely a case of what might have been.
“Patrick put in a good, solid ride and although good fortune hasn’t been on our side recently, it was today as two riders crashed out behind him, just split seconds after he’d overtaken them. If he hadn’t have done that, he would have been down too. He got himself into the points and was confident of moving higher up the order in the final third of the race but the red flag put paid to that so he had to settle for a solitary point. Brands Hatch is a good track for all of us so we’ll be looking to score heavily there. Finally, I’d just like to say congratulations to Lee Jackson on his win in the 600cc race as it was exemplary. We’ve all worked with him and his family in the past so it’s success they thoroughly deserve.”
— Samsung Honda
Samsung Honda’s Michael Laverty maintained his position inside the top six in the overall standings after the sixth round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park this weekend with a fourth and fifth place finish.
In the opening Saturday race of the weekend Laverty had his aspiration of a podium finish ended on the fourth lap as he crashed out of contention whilst Kirkham was forced to retire with a technical problem. Sunday’s second race saw Laverty claim a fourth place finish as he continued to try and consolidate his position inside the top six, as Kirkham’s bad luck continued with a heavy crash at Shell.
Sunday’s races again saw Laverty score a fourth and fifth place to maintain fourth place in the overall standings whilst Kirkham suffered a high-speed crash but fortunately was uninjured before finishing fourteenth in the final race of the weekend.
In the National Superstock 1000 Championship Jason O’Halloran was denied the chance to challenge for a podium finish when the race was red flagged on the tenth lap, leaving him fourth and Gary Johnson in twelfth.
Michael Laverty: “To be honest I am glad the weekend is over now and I am looking forward to Brands Hatch. Oulton Park has never been a good circuit for me and it is always a fight but fourth and fifths today helped consolidate our position in the Showdown. The pace was close to the leaders but we just didn’t have that last bit, despite making improvements throughout the weekend. It is the way it goes sometimes but overall it has been a disappointing weekend although it could have been worse.”
Jon Kirkham: “I started seventh in free practice and then qualifying went ok and I got through to Q3, but a technical problem at the end of Q2 meant I couldn’t push for a higher grid position. It was another weekend of bad luck for me as we had another technical problem in the first race, then a crash but fourteenth was the best we could do in the last one. It was a difficult weekend but we can regroup and come out fighting again at Brands Hatch.”
Jason O’Halloran: “It was a frustrating race today; it seems like I don’t have any luck at Oulton Park! I was caught up behind a few riders and then I was up to fourth when the race was red flagged. I was gutted that I couldn’t have the chance to fight for the win so we will have to move onto Brands Hatch now and see what we can do there.”
Gary Johnson: “I had a mega start in the race but it didn’t completely go according to plan. I was losing a bit of time on the straights and unfortunately a couple of times I got pushed a bit wide and that put me down the order. The Samsung Honda is working well but we just need to find something extra for Brands Hatch.”
Havier Beltran, Team Manager: “It has been an extremely hard weekend for the Samsung Honda team and the results we leave Oulton Park with are certainly not the ones we know we can achieve. However Michael has been able to maintain his top six position in the standings, but this shows how crucial those final rounds will be if the riders are inside the top six and fighting for the title. We still need to work with Jon as he has had a difficult weekend but we know what he is capable of from his performances earlier in the season. In the Superstock race I think it was disappointing for Jason as the red flag prevented him from scoring a podium but I understand that these things happen in racing. Gary was unhappy with his result too as he was duffed up but now we are looking forward to the next round at Brands Hatch.”
— Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki
Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki riders Shane Byrne and Keith Farmer couldn’t quite muster a win between them at Oulton Park this weekend but both did their championship chances no harm in a dramatic weekend for the Penrith-based Paul Bird Motorsport Team.
Isle of Sheppey rider Byrne racked up more important podium credits to consolidate his claims to an all important Showdown place following a brace of third places and a runner-up spot over the weekend’s three MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship races but was disappointed to miss out on a victory at the Cheshire track.
With inclement weather affecting proceedings on Friday, the double British Champion couldn’t get a good setting and although he was at the cutting edge in all three races, he didn’t quite have the pace to repeat his victory of two months ago but courtesy of his sixth successive podium finish, he holds third in the standings, just one point behind Australian rider Josh Brookes.
As well as his normal Metzeler Superstock 1000 machine, the team’s regular rider in that class, Keith Farmer, ended up taking over Stuart Easton’s Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Superbike as well after the Scot declared himself unfit following Friday’s free practice sessions due to the knee injury he sustained at Silverstone three weeks ago.
Having never ridden the Superbike before, Farmer qualified in a brilliant 13th place but in the opening race on Saturday, he was unlucky to slide off uninjured early in the race. Sunday started just as dramatically as the Clogher, County Tyrone rider crashed out at high speed in the pre-race warm up following a clash with another rider and although he was uninjured, the machine was too badly damaged to take to the grid. Good work by the team saw Farmer take his place on the grid for race three whereby from the back row, he rode sensibly to claim a top twenty finish.
However, just prior to that, a calculated ride onto the podium from his front row start saw him increase his lead in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship meaning his advantage is six points going into the next round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time, where Easton is hoping to return to action too.
Shane Byrne: “To have a bad weekend and still come away with three podiums and one hand on a Showdown place isn’t bad going but I was a long way off a win. We had some niggling problems which haven’t helped this weekend so we need to sort these and come out fighting at Brands Hatch. Well done to Tommy Hill, he rode really well this weekend but next time out might be another story.”
Stuart Easton: “I always knew it was going to be an uphill struggle to try to get fit and I gave it a go but I just couldn’t do what I needed to so we thought it best if I parked myself up. It was disappointing for me but I enjoyed helping Keith and I’m aiming to get my bike back for Brands Hatch where I’m still not ruling out squeezing into the Showdown.”
Keith Farmer: “My aim this weekend was to increase my lead in the Superstock 1000 Championship and that’s what I did but not by as many points as I would have liked. It was a memorable meeting, that’s for sure and I’d like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity of riding the Superbike. I was happy with qualifying but disappointed to crash even though the second time wasn’t my fault.”
Paul Bird: “Four podiums are fine but we are not here to finish second or third and I’m disappointed we couldn’t take a win in the four races. Shakey just didn’t have the best package this weekend and we will take steps to address that before Brands Hatch and Keith did a great job to increase his championship lead as well as ride the Superbike. Hopefully Stuart will be back for the next round too.”
— Pr1mo Kawasaki
The Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing team were back in British Superbike Championship race action at the weekend with Chris Walker again excelling at the Oulton Park venue. Scene of his memorable victory earlier in the year, Walker was in fine form all weekend and was rewarded with three top twelve finishes and 16 hard earned Championship points.
Still nursing the two broken heels he sustained at the previous round at Knockhill, Chris’ weekend got off to a great start when he placed seventh in Saturday’s opening race having come through from 15th on the grid. Edging ever closer to the top six of the Championship, the dry weather was just what Chris was hoping for and Sunday carried on in a similar vein. Although he wasn’t able to replicate the top ten result, his lap times were on a par with those around him and 11th and 12th didn’t truly reflect upon how well he was riding. There’s little to choose between at least ten riders in the series and with 82 points, Chris has now moved back up to 8th overall in the title table.
For team-mate Gary Mason, deputising for the injured James Hillier, it wasn’t such a kind weekend with mechanical issues thwarting his chances in all three races. an electrical fault ruling him out of Saturday’s race. The problem repeated itself in Sunday’s opening encounter but the Lichfield rider battled his way to the end and had his efforts rewarded in the final race of the weekend with a solid 18th place.
Third team member Kyle Wilks brought his 600cc Kawasaki home in 20th place in the Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship race.
Speaking afterwards, team owner Pete Extance commented: “Chris worked really hard all weekend and despite still struggling with his injuries and being in a lot of pain, he put in three fantastic performances. It was quite a tough schedule this weekend with three races and not a lot of time inbetween sessions but he gave it 100% as always and grabbed a solid haul of points. It’s enabled him to move up two places in the Championship and he’s still well within striking distance of the Showdown places so there’s plenty to be positive about. With two more weeks until the next round, his heels should have improved further so that he can move more freely on the bike and ride as he’d like to and we’ll be looking for some strong rides again there.”
“Gary joined us for the weekend, standing in for James, and it started well with some good performances, close to the top ten, in Friday’s wet weather. In the dry though, we struggled to find a good set up and with not as much track time this weekend it was hard going so it’s a real shame his efforts were thwarted by mechanical problems. He also had a few problems in the last race but he kept going until the end and it was pleasing to see him get a finish. He’s been a pleasure to work with and all the team would like to thank him for all that he did and wish him all the best for the remainder of the year.”
— Quattro Plant Kawasaki
In glorious sunshine, both riders took to the grid for round six of the BSB Championship at the team’s home circuit of Oulton Park in Cheshire. In the first of three races over the weekend, both riders finished in the top 20, and BSB new comer, Mark Aitchison scored his first championship point.
With an engine failure just before Sunday’s warm up session, Aitchison had to sit out the rest of the weekend whilst fellow rider, Freddy Forray gave a solid performance in the remaining two races.
After the weekend, Mark Aitchison said. ”It was good to back out on a bike after my break away. Our main focus this weekend was to work on improving the bike’s performance and putting in a consistent lap time. To have scored points in what is only my third outing on the bike is great.”
On the weekend he added. “It has been a very positive weekend, considering all the variables, such as a new bike and team. All things considered, we can be pleased with the results and we have taken away a lot of positives” He continued.” I would like to thank all the team for making me feel welcome.”
Freddy Foray just missed out on the points with a 16th place on Saturday and a P17 and P19 on Sunday. On his performance this weekend he added. “With each outing on the bike, I am building up my confidence and race fitness after breaking my back. However, I admit I need more time on the bike, as I am still a little stiff after my operation and riding the bike can be very physical.” He added. “I am very passionate about bike racing and I know I have to improve on my lap times in the next few rounds.”
After returning from a good performance in the North West 200 and TT, Superstock rider Steve Henegan also put in a solid performance over the weekend after qualifying 31st on the grid in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship and finishing P26 from a strong 47 grid line-up.
John Jameson, Team Principle said. “There is a great buzz within the team and we have made good progress throughout this round. Unfortunately, Mark’s bike developed an engine issue shortly before Sunday’s warm up and so we had to replace the engine. We felt on the grounds of safety we would not race with the new engine before we had a chance to run it in.”
“Due to the regulations at the circuit and the 6 o’clock curfew, we were unable to fire up the bike Saturday night after fitting a new clutch. If the bike was able to run we would have identified the issue and had a new engine fitted and run in before the race on Sunday. These engines need at least 40-60 minutes to go through their warm up cycle. A short warm up before you are due to go out is not ideal and you sometimes have to pay the penalty for submitting to the local bylaws were we go racing.”
He added. “The team will be going straight to Cadwell Park after this round, were we have a test session to build on the information we have gained from the weekend.”
— Smiths Triumph
The Gloucester-based Smiths Triumph Racing Team were back in action this weekend contesting the latest rounds of the Motorpoint British Supersport and Metzeler National Superstock Championships and success again came their way as the Australian duo of Billy McConnell and Glen Richards once again shared the race wins in the Supersport category whilst Luke Mossey also scored his first podium of the season.
With all three riders qualifying inside the top six for Saturday’s ten-lap race, Glen started on pole once again and hopes were high of some great results as Richards immediately went into the lead. Battling with championship rivals Jack Kennedy and Christian Iddon, there was little to choose between the three riders but when Iddon crashed, it was a straight battle to the end between Glen and Kennedy. However, it all ended in disaster when the two tangled at the last corner of the last lap and the pair ended in the gravel trap.
Their misfortune was Billy and Luke’s good fortune though and as Glen and Kennedy picked themselves up, McConnell swept by to take his third win of the season with Mossey just three seconds further back in third for his first podium of 2012.
Sunday went even better for the team with Richards and McConnell taking first and second for the second time this season. It was another tough race though with Kennedy involved once more and there was again little to choose between the trio. However, as the race entered its crucial final third, the two Smiths Triumph riders upped the ante and with Glen setting a new lap record two laps from the end, he was able to take his fourth win of the year.
McConnell was less than half a second adrift in second place and the 1-2 result has brought him right back into the title hunt as well as Richards closing in considerably on Kennedy meaning he is just 9.5 points adrift of the Irishman going into the next round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time. Cambridge rider Mossey, meanwhile, was running just off the back when a slight highside saw him drop back a couple of places. However, he regrouped well and battled back for a good fifth place and his most successful weekend of the year so far.
Fourth team member Johnny Blackshaw also had an excellent ride in the Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship, with the Stretton rider coming through the field strongly at his local track for seventh place. Back in 13th in qualifying, a change in clutch springs for the race paid dividends with the nine points moving him up to seventh overall in the championship table.
Glen Richards: “I’ve really enjoyed myself this weekend and whilst Saturday obviously ended in a disappointing fashion, it was just a racing incident where neither of us wanted to give in to the other. It was important to bounce back strongly on Sunday and that’s exactly what I did, showing I could win. I tried to ride as smoothly and as conservatively as possible to save the tyres for the last third and that’s when I upped the pace, setting the lap record in the process. I didn’t leave any doors open and rode cleanly for another win and things are getting interesting now as the gap between myself, Billy and Jack closes up.”
Billy McConnell: “First of all, I’m glad Glen wasn’t injured in Saturday’s spill but, from my own point of view, the first and second placed riders of the championship going out was just what I needed! I was a bit annoyed with myself to be a couple of seconds adrift as I had the same pace as them and I just need to be that bit more aggressive in the first few laps. I was gifted the win but you need a bit of luck on your side and this weekend it was my turn to get it. Sunday was another great race to be involved in and the bike’s working so well at the moment, it’s making my life so much easier. Getting a 1-2 has allowed me to claw back some major points on Glen and Jack so I’m right back in the title hunt now.”
Luke Mossey: “Saturday’s result was certainly a gift but I’ll take it! I didn’t get the best of starts and the left grip came loose before coming off completely so I had to do a few running repairs, which created a bit of concern but I didn’t lose any time or places, which kept me in the hunt. It would have been nice to have taken a ‘proper’ third but I’m happy and after struggling a bit in Friday’s wet sessions, it all came good in the dry. If it wasn’t for a small bobble in Sunday’s race, I’m sure I would have been closer to the front but fifth was still good and it’s been a good weekend all round.”
Johnny Blackshaw: “Qualifying couldn’t have been much worse for me and it made it hard in the race for me but the changes we made to the bike helped no end. I got a good start and battled my way through and felt I had the pace to run with the front pack but I got held up slightly and I just couldn’t quite close them down after that. It’s a solid finish for me though and, after the disappointment of crashing here in May, it’s nice to get a good result at my home circuit so a big thanks to the team, especially Pete and Tom, for doing a great job.”
Rebecca Smith, Team Manager: “It’s been another great weekend for us and although Saturday’s race was a bit of a bitter-sweet affair, what happened between Glen and Jack was purely a racing incident and just one of those things. One of the advantages of having more than one rider in a team is that it gives you more opportunities and Billy was able to pick up the pieces, which from his own championship perspective, was brilliant. It also allowed Luke to get his first podium and it was just reward for his riding this weekend.
“Sunday’s race saw Glen put in a flawless performance and with Billy right behind him, it’s closed the title race up and it’s really exciting going into the second half of the season. Luke had another strong ride and the weekend ended well for us with Johnny getting a solid result at his home circuit. Qualifying was tough for him but the changes to the bike worked and he set his fastest lap of the weekend in the race, which shows how well he was riding. We’ve had a great time again so hope for more of the same at Brands Hatch.”
— CN Racing
The Hebden Bridge-based CN Racing team were out in force at Oulton Park this weekend with Glenn Irwin strengthening his grip on the British Supersport Championship Cup.
The Northern Ireland youngster was in fine form around the Cheshire circuit all weekend and it couldn’t have started any better with a superb sixth place in Saturday’s opening race. With Cup rival Luke Jones dropping out of the race it also meant he extended his championship lead further.
Sunday’s longer race saw Jones take the early advantage and Glenn, from Carrickfergus, appeared to be losing ground but he gradually reeled his rival in as the race wore on. The duo were nose to tail going into the final lap but, try as he might, he was unable to find a way through and so settled for second and 20 more points towards his Cup total as he also took a fine tenth in the race overall.
Irish team-mate Cody Nally qualified strongly in 21st place for the Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship and made a good start to the race, immediately moving up inside the top 20. Battling with a long freight train of riders in contention for championship points, the Athlone ridergot shuffled back to 22nd on lap five and his race ended just four laps later when he crashed out, fortunately without injury, at Lodge Corner.
Glenn Irwin: “It’s been a bit of a pretty good weekend and I can’t complain at all. Saturday’s race went to plan and with Luke dropping out, it certainly helped the Cup standings. During today’s race, I was a bit slow to begin with and Luke got a gap on me but once I got into my rhythm I was able to pull him back in. I was thinking about making a pass but, at the same time, I didn’t want to do anything daft so rather than risk anything, I settled for the position. I’ve got a healthy lead over Luke now and am ninth overall in the main championship so, for my first year in the Supersport class, it’s definitely a case of so far, so good.”
Cody Nally: “Qualifying again went well and I was happy with the way the bike was working so, after a good start, I felt comfortable in the race. I felt that I had the pace to run with the riders in the 10th to 15th positions and got a bit frustrated with those riders directly in front of me as I felt they were holding me up a bit. In the end, I had a bit of a coming together with another rider and ran into the gravel so it was a disappointing way for my race to end. The bike’s great and the team’s great so I just need a bit more track time to get properly dialled in and then, hopefully, we’ll be back amongst the points.”
Julia Taylor, Team Principal: “It’s been a mixed weekend to be fair, with great results from Glenn offset by disappointment for Cody. Glenn had a good weekend but we’re still working to improve his bike a bit more and if we can do that, it will make his life that bit more easier and we’ll see him a lot further up. He finished both races in the top ten again though and scored a 1-2 in the Cup so we;re happy with his results.
“Cody’s accident was unfortunate and after going very well in qualifying, we were all hopeful of a good result but, sadly, it wasn’t meant to be and it was just a simple, racing incident. Overall, though we’re happy with both the riders and have had a good, enjoyable weekend so we’ll look for more of the same, and hopefully better, next time out.”
