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SAM WARREN, the Belper-based Supermoto bike champ cursed a jammed gear leaver to deny him a winning finish in Sunderland on Monday.
The 22-year-old finished second and third in his two 450cc Vivaldi British Championship races, despite being stuck in third gear for much of the second race at Warden Law Motorsport Centre.
But his top three finishes were good enough to move Warren up the British Championship leader board, closing in on such luminaries as Matt Winstanley and Belgian champ Fred Fiorentino.
Warren says the experience of competing in Europe has helped him improve his sharpness.
Said Warren: “Taking on the last couple of world championship rounds has definitely made a difference to my racing. Back-markers were a bit of a headache in this race but both Fred and I had the same problem so I’m pleased I managed to keep him out for the full distance.”
Warren’s team manager Mick Spencer of SR Off-Road in Wirksworth has admitted that fine performances against world-class opposition have raised the bar for the rider and his team.
“We’re disappointed that we didn’t win one,” said Spencer. “We’re making progress, but we still feel we should be winning races.
“We’re setting our sights very high, but we know the competition from riders like Matt Winstanley is extremely good – one slip and they’ll beat you.”
SR Off-Road will now regroup for their return to the world stage to consolidate their impressive record in their first ever World Championship season. Their next race is in Austria on 17 June.
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