Former MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams was back on the podium in the IDM German Supersport series, taking second after a titanic six-rider battle at the Salzburgring.
McWilliams, who is riding for the Superbike Academy team, opted for slicks on a rapidly-drying track in the first race. Sebastian Diss, on the factory ZX-6R took the holeshot but couldn't break the tow and, as is typical at such high speed circuits, slipstreaming saw the pack catch him again.
There followed a classic battle with the six leading riders changing positions and drifting three abreast into the fifth gear right hander. McWilliams and championship leader Sascha Hommel finally made a break in the last three laps and gapped Diss and the Yamahas of Christian Kellner and Pascal Eckhardt.
Race two saw another great battle between the leading riders with Pascal Eckhardt taking the win from Sascha Hommel. McWilliams was fourth in a photo-finish between third and fifth place, only 0.8 seconds covering the top five riders over the line!
McWilliams' young team mate Joshua Elliott had a rough weekend after falling heavily at high speed in free practice. Elliott was stiff from the fall but qualified well in 20th. His race pace again proved to be sensational - making up seven places in the first two laps and hopes were high he might add to his double podium from the Nurburgring.
Unfortunately the Gods were not smiling on Elliott this weekend and a small mistake in the complex saw the young Irishman hit the bales hard enough to warrant a night's observation in the Salzburg clinic.
Thankfully he is sore but uninjured and still holds a fantastic 10th place in his rookie year and is looking forward to the next round at the fast and flowing Schleizer Dreieck, Germany's oldest race track.
"It was nice to back at the front and it looks like we could be up there for the rest of the season thanks to the new engine. We're still slightly down on power against the factory teams but the next tracks will suit the Honda. I'm just sorry that Josh took a tumble and wasn't able to join me on the podium. Next time though," said McWilliams.
