Ice Valley BMW’s Peter Hickman recovered from a crash in qualifying at yesterday’s Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix to pick up a pair of fifth-place finished, a 131mph lap and the best newcomer title.
Hickman bounced back from his spill in Thursday morning’s Superstock qualifying session to be back out in time for the Dundrod 150 races later in the day and he opened his account with a stunning seventh in the Superbike.
Riding the Superstock BMW, his fastest lap of 131.198mph comfortably made him the fastest ever rider around the 7.4-mile circuit and using the same bike, he then won the National Challenge race by over 20 seconds with yet more 130mph+ laps.
Saturday’s action saw the Ulster Grand Prix races held in much less favourable conditions with drizzle and strong winds affecting everyone. Louth rider Hickman was undeterred though and took two more excellent results in the feature Superbike and Superstock races with a brace of fifths the outcome.
It also meant he was awarded the ‘Best Newcomer’ trophy, just as he had done at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 meetings earlier this season.
“It’s been another really good and enjoyable meeting for me and I’m delighted with the results and to pick up the ‘Best Newcomer’ award again. I made a bit of a mistake on Thursday and crashed out, making a real mess of the bike, but the team did wonders to get me back out in time for the races whilst Steve Hicken and Michael Dunlop helped me out with various parts,” said Hickman.
“The bike felt exactly the same as it did before the crash and to get seventh and lap at more than 131mph in the Dundrod 150 race was really pleasing given the state the bike was in a few hours earlier.”
“It was a lot tougher on Saturday with the poor weather, which was unfortunate for everyone, as it made both riding and tyre choice tricky. I was over the moon with a pair of fifths though, especially in the Superbike race, and I’ve really enjoyed my first time at Dundrod. Shoey and the whole team have been mega and they did a mint job all week so it’s nice to repay them with some good results.”
