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The Real Cycle People
44 George Street, Perth

KRP IN THE THICK OF THE ACTION

Young KRP stars Anthony Rogers and Robbie Stewart heartbreakingly missed out on double podium in a dramatic photo finish at the opening British Championship race of the year at Brands Hatch.

Rogers was adjudged to have finished third, just 0.001 secs behind Kev Coghlan, and Stewart was pushed back to fourth, a further 0.009 secs adrift, as the pair were put off-line by a backmarker at Stirling Bend on the last lap and were passed by Coghlan while they battled between themselves on the run to the flag.

Experienced Ashley Beech made a lightning start and scored a start to finish victory while behind him all four KRP riders were involved in spectacular scraps near the front of the chasing field.

Stewart set a new lap record while scrapping with Rogers and Coghlan and KRP team-mates Nikki Coates and Tom Hayward were also both involved in titanic multiple dices before crossing the line ninth and tenth respectively.

"All the lads enjoyed the race and Robbie especially came in with a huge smile on his face, not knowing where he'd finished." said team boss Mark Keen. "I was gutted to have to tell him he was only fourth."

While Beech escaped at the front in the early laps, Rogers and Stewart struggled to match his early pace. Then, when they got into the groove at mid-distance they slowed each other up by dicing with Coghlan and each other. Despite this the teenage trio halved Beech's mid race lead by the end of the race and Stewart scorched to a new lap record, but it was too late for the charging youngsters to challenge for the win.

"They were both riding well but took too long to get going," said Keen. "I'm delighted with Anthony, who was aggressive as ever but smooth nonetheless. He came under enormous pressure and coped very well. Robbie had a few slides early on and that slowed him down. It's up to us to build his confidence in us and in the bike, then I'm sure he will be able to attack races from the start."

Ulsterman Nikki Coates was disappointed to finish ninth, having targetted a top six finish at the historic Kent track. And Tom Hayward, who was riding hurt with a healing broken scaphoid, battled his way up to sixth before slipping back to tenth as it became harder to compensate for the injury.

"Tom had a tough weekend with bike problems in practice and his wrist kept folding on him under braking. But he's happy with the bike and he adapted his style well to salvage tenth place," said Keen. "He will be stronger at Thruxton."

"Nikki had one hell of a battle out there and enjoyed the race. We plan to make some changes to his bike for Thruxton I expect him to go very well there too."

There are now just three days back at base for the team to prepare for the second round of the championship at the fast and grippy airfield circuit at Thruxton in Hampshire.

"It was a shame we didn't finish second and third," concluded Keen, "But four riders in top ten and a new lap record is not a bad start to the season. The bikes were as quick as any in the speed traps and Thruxton is a fast place. Bring it on."

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