Ryan Farquhar wrapped up a brilliant 2008 road race season at the weekend, when he clinched the International Duke Road Race Championship for the third time in his career.

Competing in the Gold Cup races at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, the Dungannon ace put in a series of high class performances and a quartet of podium finishes completed an excellent year.

For once, the rain stayed away for a full weekend and with brilliant, sunny conditions on Saturday, Ryan was able to take 2nd in the opening Superbike race, once more riding his trusty Harker Racing Superstock-spec Kawasaki. The 600cc race later in the afternoon would prove to be one of the best of the weekend with 5 of the sport’s leading road racers going head to head around the tricky, woodland venue and Ryan was able to take a close fourth place.

Sunday’s results were better still and the second Superbike race of the weekend saw Ryan not only lead the race but also set his best ever lap around the Oliver’s Mount course. Although he had to give way to Guy Martin on the 3rd lap he comfortably held on for 2nd place and his time of 1m45.952s, made him the second fastest rider ever in Scarborough’s illustrious racing history.

The second 600cc race was again superb and Ryan held second throughout until an audacious overtaking manoeuvre for the lead on the final lap saw him drift wide at Mountside Hairpin. As he ran wide, he was relegated to third although he was still only 0.376s adrift of the race win, such was the closeness of the racing! Another 2nd in the feature Steve Henshaw Gold Cup race followed and with five top-four finishes from five starts, it was a highly satisfied Ryan that later commented:

“It’s been a really good weekend and it’s great to end the year with more success and my 3rd Duke Championship. With Guy being so good on his Superbike, it was always going to be a race for 2nd in the big bike races and I’m well pleased with a brace of runner-up spots and even more so with my best ever lap around this circuit.

“The 600cc races were extremely competitive but we changed the mapping for Sunday’s race and I’d say the bike was the best it’s been all year. Dunlop also gave me a new tyre and that also helped to make the bike faster than ever.

"It’s been a brilliant year and I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me this year, especially my sponsors – both trade and personal – as they’ve played a huge part in all the success. I’m looking forward to a break now before we start planning for 2009 when we’ll be doing it all over again!”