Franco Bourne made his debut in Bennetts British Superbike at Snetterton with Honda Racing UK as he replaced the injured Andrew Irwin. Since then Bourne has raced at Brands Hatch and on the weekend he made a big step at Thruxton.

Franco Bourne has only taken part in nine races in British Superbikes (BSB) so far in his career and has already picked up his first set of points.

Bourne was not meant to race a Superbike this season and instead was meant to race in National Superstock on a Honda. However, when Andrew Irwin picked up an injury that placed him on the sidelines Honda Racing UK jumped at the opportunity to promote young Bourne.

After three rounds of racing on a Superbike the 19-year-old finished 14th in the final race of the weekend at Thruxton. Collecting his first BSB points and beating his teammate in the process.

>>> 2023 BSB Championship Standings <<<

"Before the race all the lads were saying in the garage ‘You can have this, get stuck in and don’t get pushed around.’ So I just got stuck in and knew that once I found my rhythm I was going to pass the guys in front because I had better pace than them in the first race," said Franco Bourne after the final race on the weekend.

"I slowly started working my way through and got past Tom (Neave) and started pushing on, then he came back past me. I stuck in behind him and bided my time to see where I was stronger before I made my move late on.

"Once I was passed, the Ducatis then started coming back to me. I managed to get past Tommy (Bridewell) and then went around the outside of Glenn (Irwin) at Church, and I was thinking ‘There’s no way I’ve got both of them!’ Only to hear a rattling by my side as Glenn flew back past me!

"I knew I was capable of getting points but to actually do it is another thing and it feels great to end the weekend in this way."