Round 6 took place at Silverstone GP Circuit for the MotoGP weekend 04-07th August 2023.
“I came into the British MotoGP round feeling confident, I had two solid 4th place finishes at Brands Hatch and apart from a few issues at Knockhill, my season has been consistently improving. I like Silverstone and I know I can go well there and the added motivation of being able to race in front of the MotoGP teams and crowd just adds to the excitement”.
I had a strong practice period and found my feet quickly. In FP1 I finished in P3 and in FP2 I came away P8 which would be my combined position for the day.
Qualifying came on Saturday and I set a time which would see me qualify P5, second row on the grid! “I had a good lap from the off in qualifying but the times in the top 10 were so close I dropped down the order a bit. Luckily I managed to get a tow in the slipstream of another rider and set a flyer of a lap which got me up to P3, as the session came to a close I dropped back down to P5 but the times were so close I couldn’t be disappointed. I knew I had the pace and had found a good setting with my bike”.
Race 1 was on Saturday afternoon in typically wet British summer weather. “It was a wet race and felt a bit more like racing jet-skis. I honestly don’t think it was my best performance as I let the leaders get away, as a result I ended up in a three bike battle for third. The group became 2 when one of the riders crashed out and then one of the leaders crashed as well, suddenly things got interesting as I was fighting for second, unfortunately our battle allowed another rider to reel us in and snatched second from me towards the end of the race leaving me to cross the line in P3”.
“It sounds funny I know, I am absolutely buzzing to have scored another podium finish, especially at the MotoGP round, but I know in the back of my head that I had the pace and I can’t help think that I let a P2 get away from me”.
Race 2 took was on Sunday afternoon in much improved weather. This time I would start form P4.
“I think race 2 was one of my best performances yet. I got away to a good start and was running in P2, a rider crashed on the first lap and I was lucky not to get caught up in the crash. I was able to stay focused and battle for the whole race with the top 3. I took the lead on several occasions throughout the race.
On the last lap I knew that I had a good chance of literally any of the top 3 positions and I ended up crossing the line in P3. It was honestly one of the best races I have ever had and I enjoyed every moment of it”.
I was the only rider to achieve a double podium at the iconic MotoGP round. “I know it is exactly the same position as race 1 but it’s how I did it that satisfies me. I am so happy that I was able to not only race at the front but to actually fight for the win, to come out of the MotoGP weekend with two top 3 finishes and to stand on the same podium as my MotoGP heroes was unbelievable.
I left Silverstone with more silverware for my collection and I am now placed 5th in the Championship standings.
“I am so grateful to all my sponsors for their ongoing support, without you all none of this would be possible, so a huge thank you to Amphibian Scaffolding, Amphibian Apparel UK, WIZ Racing Products, Auritech, Rock Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, SP125 Racing, Facelift Home Improvements Ltd, Coverwell, Crawley Amateur Boxing Club, Muk Junkie Cleaner, MotoGusto Magazine and Helmet City Ltd”