Australian Brendan Roberts experienced a mixed weekend at the European Superstock Championship at Brands Hatch, 4th - 6th August. The 21-year-old who is competing for the Italian run HP Racing Team in all the European Superstock rounds (those which do not clash with the British Superstock Championship) was consistently fast throughout the weekend setting some impressive lap times in the process.
Roberts who topped the timesheets during Friday's practice session plus setting provisional Pole Position in the afternoon Qualifying session looked strong and confident on the Suzuki GSXR-1000. He continued his positive form and finally qualified for Sunday's race in an impressive second position, in what is described by many as an extremely tough and competitive series.
After setting the fastest time in morning warm-up Roberts was keen to gain a podium position in the 15-lap race. A sturdy start saw Roberts hold his place into the first turn, a small moment on the exit of Graham Hill Bend, turn three, saw him drop two places pushing him back to fourth.
By the third lap the youngster had got passed eventual race winner Luca Scassa and Kawasaki rider Denis Sacchetti and was sitting in a comfortable second position and looking at making the move on Spanish rider Ivan Silva for the lead. Roberts’ stint at the front was short lived as Championship leader Alessandro Polita made an extreme braking manoeuvre on the sixth lap, forcing Roberts to take drastic action to avoid the pair crashing out and running on into the gravel at Druids. Fighting with the bike Roberts managed to keep on the gas and re-join the field but in a low 13th place.
With a lot of work to do and a potential podium now out of the question Roberts was eager to regain some places. He got his head down and reeled out some of the fastest lap times of the race, passing six riders in the process and managing to finish in a very creditable seventh.
Commenting a disappointed Roberts said "I had the speed and everything was going fine, it was awesome to run with those guys as they are so experienced at this level and know their machines and the tracks inside out. The HP racing Suzuki is totally different to my race bike, the power and suspension take some getting used to. Seventh wasn’t what I was looking for, but after keeping it upright in the gravel I knew I had to push on and fight to the end. The next European Round is in four weeks at Assen, Holland, it’s a new track lay out so I can’t wait as it levels the playing field a little bit more."
Roberts will next be competing in the National Superstock Championship, which he leads by a massive 71-points, this weekend, 11th - 13th August at Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire.
Photos by Paul Sturman.
Related Linkswww.brendan-roberts.com
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