Craig Fitzpatrick secured another solid win and fastest lap in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Cup at Oulton Park, he also gained a fantastic eighth place in the overall race. Fitzpatrick on the BLDS Couriers Yamaha extended his lead in the Cup Championship by 10 points.
The 30-year-old from Alfreton, Derbyshire looked smooth throughout the weekend and was consistently running in the thick of the action. Struggling in the first qualifying on Saturday in the wet conditions he dropped down the pack. However, during the second qualifying session he managed to place himself in sixth place on the grid only a second off pole-position rider Chris Martin.
Fitzpatrick got a fantastic start in the race and was soon up to a great fourth place. The safety car was deployed on lap three and then the race was red-flagged due to the same incident. The race was re-started as a 12-lap race and unfortunately Fitzpatrick was blocked into the first corner and he dropped back to eighth position.
After fighting his way through to sixth place he came under attack from the factory backed Honda of Steve Brogan and also Honda mounted Dan Cooper. He was able to fend off the challenge from TT star Ian Hutchinson and was in eighth place when the chequered flag came out.
Commenting he said:
“It’s been a tough weekend with a number of aspects. I’m really pleased to have gained my first top ten placing in the Supersport class and it gives me confidence as I head to one of my favourite circuits this weekend, Brands Hatch. I had a few problems in the rain on Saturday and was hoping the race would be dry. Although the track was pretty slippery I just got my head down in the race, I was sat in fourth when it was red-flagged and was fighting with the leaders, which was a nice feeling. I got a bad start in the re-start and got pushed backwards into the first corner and slipped back to eighth."
"It is so hard to fight with the factory boys as they have so much more power so it’s all down to corner speed witch I had but just couldn’t quite pass them. I had some really good battles out on track and managed to take the Cup win, I’m really looking forward to Brands and keeping my fingers crossed that it will be dry!.”
Picture credit moto-photo.
Words by Carly Ramthmell
Related Links:www.craigfitzpatrick.com www.moto-photo.co.uk
