Canterbury’s Tom Ward was unexpectedly back on the British Superbike paddock last weekend, as he took to the track at Oulton Park.

Ward was competing in the British Superstock Championship as he stood in for the injured Sam Cox onboard the Armada Marine Cables Racing Honda, and boy did he do a good job.

Speaking after the weekend, he said: “It was difficult to get my head back around the Pirelli’s and especially the standard master cylinder as in EWC we run a 19mm piston and the stock is 16mm, having to pull the brake a lot harder with less feel! It was a big learning curve riding round here on the Honda for the first time especially coming from Le Mans.

“We made plenty of changes improving the bike throughout the weekend, we qualified seventh with a new PB for me and still feel like there is plenty more to come.

“I had a bad start to the race but made it up to fifth, which by this point I thought I was leading the race as the four in front were that far ahead fair play to those boys their pace was on fire!

“Crossing the line fifth was a good welcome back to the class and there is certainly more to come, Sam will not be back for Donington next weekend so I will also ride then, which I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the Armada Marine Cables Honda!

“A huge thank you to the team for getting me out – especially Graham, Sam, Charles, Tommy, Tommy Gun, Frankie & my Dad!

Images courtesy of Jamie Morris Photography