Starting from pole position at Thruxton is a disadvantage because you are on the outside for the first corner. As we lined up for the start of the race I knew I had to get a good start to stay with the other six riders that were all close to me in qualifying. I got a great start until we tipped in to the first corner and I got shoved out which meant I was seventh on the first lap.

I could see the front two riders trying to make a break so with some very hard and aggressive riding I fought my way back up into third place. I was happy to sit behind Benjie and Tommy who were leading the race. I had already sized both of them up and knew where I was going to pass them. I managed to pass Benjie on the penultimate lap just where I had planned to, but Tommy Hill had already pulled away with about a one second gap while I was passing Benjie. I rode hard for the last lap and was right on his tail trying to slipstream him up to the last chicane. My bike was completely on the limiter and wouldn’t go any faster! I tried to out break him into the last chicane but he did a great job of blocking me. As we both dragged to the line, I came second by 0.06 of a second. Tommy won the race, I was second and Kieran Clarke took third. Although I had hoped to win, I was pleased I’d set another lap record on my last lap of the race!

Cal