East London racer slips down standings

East London Advertiser: Sam Cox gives the thumbs up despite recent injury problemsSam Cox gives the thumbs up despite recent injury problems (Image: Archant)

East London racer Sam Cox saw his hopes of winning the British Superbike Triumph Triple Challenge Championship hit despite a brave ride at Donington.

Cox had battled back from a broken collarbone, suffered in a testing session in August, to race at his favourite circuit last weekend.

But he could only achieve a fifth-place finish after crashing in practice, before enduring two tough races.

Cox was gutted to lose ground in the battle for the title, slipping to fourth in the standings after a painful weekend.

He said: “I am totally gutted at the situation I now find myself in. Having overcome my fears of racing injured at Cadwell, I came to Donington with some hope and lying second in the Championship.

“The crash in practice hurt me again in an area I was already sore. The team have worked hard to get the bike right for me and I gave it my best, but just did not have the full confidence to push hard into the corners.”

Although Cox’s hopes of finishing first in the standings remain slim he will not be giving up just yet and is aiming to finish as high as he possibly can with two races remaining.

He added: “I’m not the giving up kind. I’ve set my heart on winning more races this season and will ride hard until the season ends.

“Second would be a major achievement for me in the Championship, if not the outright winner, and necessary to launch my next move which is to gain support for a Supersport EVO ride in the premier 600 class in 2015.

“I’d like to thank all my team, my Dad, Steve Bateman, my step mum, Jay, Patricia, Gerry and Holly for helping me this weekend.”