Title hopes take an early battering

Bow biker Sam Cox says he feels ‘devastated’ after a weekend which promised so much at Brand Hatch ended in with just two top five finishes.

The 20-year-old former Morpeth School pupil is confident of winning the British Motorcycling Club MRO Minitwin Championship, but crashed out of the first race, finished 17th in the second before registering improved results of fourth and fifth on Sunday.

“I’ve been looking forward to racing for months and been working hard over the winter,” said Cox who is still 10th in the current standings.

“I want to win the championship and believe I am good enough to do so. I’m devastated.”

Cox had started so well, qualifying first in the first race with a lap time of 53 seconds and was two seconds clear on the fourth lap before disaster struck.

Exiting Druids bend he entered the left hand downhill Graham Hill bend only to find the front tyre failed to maintain grip despite the dry conditions. Sliding off onto the grass, bike slightly damaged, pride dented, it was a long lonely walk back to the pits whilst the race continued.

“I changed the tyres over the winter to Michellin,” Cox explained. “It seems stupid now but it was a cold day and Michelin’s are a bad tyre in cold weather.”

The second race Saturday left Sam at the very back of the grid in 38th position following his unexpected slide off previously.

Making steady progress through the back of the field Sam worked his way towards mid pack eventually finishing 17th. No points scored on a frustrating day for his team.

Race three went really well, Cox made up 10 places within the first two laps and pushing harder towards the end finally gaining fourth place and a final race start on the front row.

The final race started with early progress being made on the initial leaders, Cox battling hard to make third place and a possible podium position.

However, two other riders continued to push for the same track space and lines leaving a safety conscious rider to settle for fifth place.

“All these riders I am competing against I have beaten before,” Cox said.

“I’ve got points on the board and I am still confident.”