蜜桃视频

Test Day

鈥淗ot, and I mean hot! We didn鈥檛 get many laps in; lots of stoppages, a lack of marshals and the notorious Brands catching riders out.

鈥淔or a change, I didn鈥檛 need many laps. I felt I was riding well and enjoyed lapping in the 1:32 mark with little effort, while working a few things out when I got some space.鈥�

Qualifying (P15 on Grid)

鈥淚n the first qualifying session, I was near the front and had got myself some space with a tow from fast lads. I thought 鈥榩erfect鈥�, only for the session to be red-flagged coming on to our 3^rd lap. I do hope Jack Morgan makes a full recovery 鈥� that was big.

鈥淐alled back after a long stoppage and, knowing I would be mid-pack, did a Wilf Turner trick and went out at the back. With the track to myself, I managed a 1:32.4, which I was ok with. Would have liked a little more, but still trying to build up the pace and work out what grip we had. Due to all the stoppages our race was moved to Sunday, meaning we had a busy day ahead with 3 races.鈥�

Race 1 (P17/10^th in Class)

鈥淎 very poor start and then got boxed-in badly at Paddock Hill and Druids, losing a good few places. I quickly got my act together and moved back up to P17 by the end of Lap 1, but was at the back of a train of five riders. Getting used to the pace, I was looking to make up a couple more places, but we were too close together. By the time I had worked a few things out it was the chequered flag. We ran a good pace and I had a good feeling with the bike so was keen to try again in Race 2.鈥�

Race 2 (P12/8^th in Class)

鈥淪tarting 16^th on the grid, I was now on the outside, which I prefer at Brands. This time I ripped off the line, got stuck in and made passes around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend then inside at Druids with inches to spare. I found myself on the back of Liam Murtagh, who is riding strongly this year. I tried to pass him into Surtees, but wasn鈥檛 quite close enough. Ran with Liam for a few laps doing 1.31鈥檚 until he edged away from me. As the gap gradually widened, I was being chased by Jamie Boyce and Steven Duncan so had to kept it tidy to hold my position until the end. Great race and pleased to run consistent 1:31s all race and matched my PB from last year at 1:31.2.鈥�

Race 3 (P10/8^th in Class)聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽

鈥淢ade tweaks to the bike to help with the better pace and go! Great start again.

鈥淧retty much the same start though Steven Duncan joined the party this time. Duncan made a brave pass on Liam into Hawthornes and I had the best view in the house. My bike was even better in this one so no excuses and I managed a PB of 1:31.0 to close the little gap they had. Then spent six laps trying to get past the fastest Kawasaki I have ever seen, while Liam was trying to get past Duncan again. I thought I was going to get two for the price of one at Druids, but wasn鈥檛 sure if Liam could see me as he came back onto the racing line. I had a nibble at Graham Hill Bend to which he chopped my nose off. Duncan now had a few bike lengths on us so back to working out Liam again.

鈥淚 felt strong and thought if I can pass Liam I might just get a chance on the last lap to take Steven. I tried everything, but Liam rode well and made it hard. To be honest, even if that wasn鈥檛 possible, the fact I was thinking it shows we are so much stronger than we have been. I got really close coming onto the Start/Finish Straight with two laps to go, but another red flag and the fun was over. Credit to Liam, he has really found the pace again this year and it was great trying to work him out.

鈥淚 feel like a weight has been lifted this weekend. I have now made the step with the bike that I have been looking for, putting me back in the race. I can鈥檛 tell you how happy I am and how much I enjoyed finally racing again. The earlier three rounds were tough to take, but we are on the way back now.

鈥淭hank you so much to all my supporters and sponsors for not giving up on me.

鈥淣ext up: my local, Cadwell Park. I can鈥檛 wait.鈥�

Photos by Matt Sayle Photography