“Thruxton was a weekend of mixed emotions – both highs and lows. As we drove away from the circuit I was able to reflect on several season-best achievements, but I also know that it could have been so much better, if I could have lined everything up in the right way. But we’re learning more and more in every race and that’s racing!

Thruxton delivers fast and exceedingly close racing that punishes the smallest mistake with disproportionate penalties, in such a tight pack. On Friday I put in some strong performances to qualify straight through to Q2 and then in Q2, I put in a fast lap to get myself to 10^th on the grid – only 0.6s off pole. This was my best superbike qualifying position to date, so I was really pleased with that. However, race 1 proved to be full of incidents that knocked me back. I didn’t have the best first lap, then I touched Glenn Irwin in the chicane which lost me a few places and I was then pushed wide onto the bumpy kerb out the back, which set off my airbag! I tried my best but finished in 17^th. Aside from the disappointment of not being able to capitalise on such a good grid position, this result then put me way back on the grid for race 2. Race 2 was always going to be tough with a lower grid position and I also struggled to find my rhythm deep down in the pack, finishing in 18^th place.

I spent much of Sunday beating myself up for my performances in races 1 and 2 but with some help from Dad and the team, I reset my thinking for the final race. The team also made some critical changes to the setup that transformed the bike for me – thank you, James. Here’s where it got MUCH better! Race 3 was easily my best superbike race so far and I felt I somehow broke through the barrier that I feel has been holding me back. Having been knocked back to 20^th in the first few laps I got my head down and fought hard, overtaking a string of big-name riders to finish in my season-best 11^th place. As well, I was only 5.4secs off the winner and I could therefore see the leaders ahead of me on the back straight – a massive motivation to push. Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways was that I posted the 3^rd fastest lap time only 0.1s off winner Danny Kent’s fastest lap plus, I was the quickest rider in sector 1. If we’d only had a few more laps, I feel I could have closed the gap to the leading group and probably finished inside the top 10.

So, what a weekend! Season-best qualifying and a season-best race result in what has to be some of the toughest racing in our sport. Thanks to everyone who has helped me this weekend, sponsors, team, family and my partner Sarah. My confidence has been boosted and I can’t wait for Cadwell in a few weeks time.”