Martin Jessopp was delighted to secure his best ever result in British Superbikes on the weekend he was the sole representative for Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati. Michael Rutter was forced to sit out Sunday's races with the rib injury sustained at Cadwell Park but Jessopp rose to the challenge, finishing fourth in race two.
Jessopp admitted he was expecting the Ducati 1198R to go well at Donington and enjoyed the opportunity to run at the front of the field.
“I am mega happy with how the weekend turned out for the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team. It didn't come as a massive surprise as I knew that the bike would work well on that track and that the improvements we have been making would put us in a good position. I knew if we could get away at the front then we could mix it with the Title Fighters.”
“It took us time in free practice to get to where we needed to be and I qualified eleventh but at that point I was reasonably happy with that. We worked hard with K-Tech and took some big gambles after finishing ninth in race one and it worked! In the second one I made a decent start and was up there and having a good battle with Josh Brookes. Unfortunately that let Jon Kirkham get a gap but it was the best result we have had and the closest I have been to a podium finish.”
Team Owner Phil Jessopp also expects the bike to perform strongly at Silverstone in two weeks time and expects Rutter to be fit enough to return too.
“I am really happy with the weekend that Martin had with his best finish of the season in fourth. It wasn’t a big surprise as we knew that the track should suit the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati and we have seen him improve with every round. It was disappointing for Michael, we took the bike but unfortunately he was still in pain and now will have to try and return at Silverstone. The next round should also be a good one for us so we are hoping to end the season with some strong finishes and hopefully some podiums.”