To come away just 0.1 second off the lap record which was the fastest lap of the meeting, shows good form and I enjoyed my riding. It was a real pick up after what can only be described as a nightmare season!

Second in qualifying was bettered on the Bank Holiday Monday thanks to mega laps where the grid is reorganised based on fastest lap of the previous days’ races which put me on pole position. That’s where we aspire to be and this weekend I felt like I deserved it.

Myself, Phil, Paul and Martin from Arkoni worked really hard on the setup of the bike and it was great to repay the them with more than a sandwich and a cuppa here and there! It felt strange being at the front, almost spooky. I've not been P1 for 3 years since I started in the Pre-National 600s.

Race 1 was great, I was overtaken on one of the early laps by ex British champion Josh Day and it was a battle at the front for the 15 laps.

In Race 2 I led by 3 seconds until the halfway stage and then the front tucked at the corkscrew with no warming. I couldn't try pick it up on my knee and to be honest the nature of the corner is such that I didn't have a prayer anyway. Back to the drawing board. On a positive note my pelvis injury wasn't aggravated and the bike wasn't too badly damaged.

I led race 3 for 1 lap but then tucked the front again with no warning. I was livid! I knew I had an underlying problem as the Dunlop tyres are just way better than that.

After going away and doing some bench tests, my tyre warmers were ruined with cold spots. It wasn't my time maybe but I know it wont be my only shot at a win and I’m feeling confident for Donington, particularly now I can put the front tyre grip issue to bed!

A PB that knocked on the door of a lap record, pole position, a significant lead in the race and wonderful riding! Not a bad weekend’s work. Bring on Donny!

To come away just 0.1 second off the lap record which was the fastest lap of the meeting, shows good form and I enjoyed my riding. It was a real pick up after what can only be described as a nightmare season!

Second in qualifying was bettered on the Bank Holiday Monday thanks to mega laps where the grid is reorganised based on fastest lap of the previous days’ races which put me on pole position. That’s where we aspire to be and this weekend I felt like I deserved it.

Myself, Phil, Paul and Martin from Arkoni worked really hard on the setup of the bike and it was great to repay the them with more than a sandwich and a cuppa here and there! It felt strange being at the front, almost spooky. I've not been P1 for 3 years since I started in the Pre-National 600s.

Race 1 was great, I was overtaken on one of the early laps by ex British champion Josh Day and it was a battle at the front for the 15 laps.

In Race 2 I led by 3 seconds until the halfway stage and then the front tucked at the corkscrew with no warming. I couldn't try pick it up on my knee and to be honest the nature of the corner is such that I didn't have a prayer anyway. Back to the drawing board. On a positive note my pelvis injury wasn't aggravated and the bike wasn't too badly damaged. 

I led race 3 for 1 lap but then tucked the front again with no warning. I was livid! I knew I had an underlying problem as the Dunlop tyres are just way better than that.

After going away and doing some bench tests, my tyre warmers were ruined with cold spots. It wasn't my time maybe but I know it wont be my only shot at a win and I’m feeling confident for Donington, particularly now I can put the front tyre grip issue to bed! 

A PB that knocked on the door of a lap record, pole position, a significant lead in the race and wonderful riding! Not a bad weekend’s work. Bring on Donny!