This weekend saw the opening round the ACU GSX-R Trophy run at Derby Phoenix’s Cadwell Park meeting and both races were dominated Chris Hawkes who did the double.

Hawkes won Sunday’s first race by a massive 13 seconds from Ritchie Thornton and then did the same again on Monday, only this time crossing the line three seconds ahead of Thorton.

He said of race two: "That was the hardest race of my life. The high temperatures made it really tough going."

In the first race Thornton should have been happy with his second as a qualifying crash meant he was riding with a dislocated shoulder. However, he was disappointed. He said: “I've got no excuses for coming second I simply couldn't keep with Chris.”

Third place was taken by Rogerio Lacerda. He said: “I've never been on the podium before, I really can't believe it."  He battled his way through the grid from seventh and efforts  earned him the Express Insurance Novice of the day award and commentator’s award in addition to his podium result.

In race two, Hawkes ran away with it from the front again and Thornton could only follow but set a fastest lap with a 1’36.7s. He said: “I'm thrilled to pick up the fastest lap I never thought I could do that lap time on a standard bike. I can't wait to get to Donington Park to try and pick up a win.”

Third place went to Ulsterman Stanley Gamble who briefly ran in second place until lap two when Ritchie made his move.  Race one third place man Rogerio Lacerdo finished fourth and again picked up the Express Insurance Top Gun Award for the highest placed novice. The commentator’s award for starting at the back of the grid and battling to eighth place was given to Colin Hargreaves.