JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison battled through the pain barrier and overcame adversity to secure his place in the Showdown, during the opening race at Oulton Park.
The rider has been nursing a broken wrist after a crash at Thruxton, and has been busy getting back to fitness to compete in the triple-header this weekend. He missed out on the last round at Cadwell and the main aim this weekend was to stay inside the top six, and he did just that.
Ellison was unsure on Friday of just how much track activity he would be able to do, and was at first surprised by getting on to the front row after a solid qualifying session. The former MotoGP rider was then shocked when he managed to hold on to second to clinch some much needed podium credits, and his place in the top six alongside rivals, PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes.
Ellison did struggle through the eighteen-lapper, but he managed to focus and tried and edge even closer to eventual race winner, Byrne. Now the Cumbrian is looking for more of the same on Sunday.
“When we came here my goal was of course to aim for the podium and secure the Showdown,” said Ellison, speaking at the track this afternoon.
“I was confident we could do the latter but I wasn’t sure we would have the pace to reach the podium so to do both in the first race is fantastic. I want to thank the whole team, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki was mega today. Mark was peaking and you could see how much it meant to the whole team for us to be in the Showdown so we’re really happy.
“The injury is still pretty bad, I was struggling a little towards the end of the race but when Shakey started coming back to us I could refocus. It was a tough race, we were running at lap record pace throughout but we did it and I’m over the moon to be back on the podium. We’ve got two more chances tomorrow so fingers crossed for some more.”
