Tom Ward jumped on the Rapid Honda by Mavel HCL Motorsport in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and looked at home straight away.

He scored points in races one and two of the weekend and just missed out in race three, as he showed why he has the talent to be racing in the BSB. Even though he was only deputising for the injured Franco Bourne.

He finished 15th in race one netting one point, and then in race two he took two points with a 14th place finish. He finished 16th in race three and below be brings us his thoughts on the weekend.

“Thank you to Rapid Honda by Marvel HCL Motorsport for the opportunity to jump on their SBK this weekend!Firstly I’d just like to say what a great team they are, always a great atmosphere, really professional and just all round enjoyable good people to be around!

“It was always going to be difficult with the lack of time on the bike and the wet weather on Saturday didn’t help us either.

Race 1 – A good start with a 15th place, I felt I had a consistent pace but needed to find around 0.5 to get into the high 26s low 27s to go with the group in front which was for the top 10.

Race 2 – I made it really hard work for myself as my start was terrible going back to second from last into turn one, by the time I had got back into 14th the group was long gone.

Race 3 – a slightly better start but I unfortunately nearly hit a rider on the back straight causing me to run off the track onto the grass, I thought the race was over as I was dead last by about 5 second but stayed consistent and caught back up to two riders battling for 14th place by the last lap but didn’t have enough time to pass!

“I know I should be pleased but I can’t help but be slightly disappointed as it’s not often you get the opportunity to get a go on a SBK and I felt the potential was there if we had more time on the bike to qualify higher and get off the line better!

“But It is what it is and I feel proud of what I achieved with the little time on the bike! More than ready if the right opportunity were to arise again in the future.

“Next up is the Bol d’Or so all effort is on that and I’m super excited to have the Wolfpack back for the final round of the EWC championship

“Thank you to all of my family, friends and sponsors for their continued support and keeping the dream alive.”

Main image courtesy of Kim Shorter