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The Real Cycle People
44 George Street, Perth

COATES HEADS KRP CHALLENGE

Ulsterman Nikki Coates' solid fourth place finish in the British 125GP championship race at Silverstone was the highlight of a difficult and challenging weekend for Buckinghamshire based Team KRP.

The fast improving Belfast teenager bagged 13 championship points for the second successive round and now sits fifth in the series table. Team-mate Tom Hayward overcame injuries and handling problems to finish behind Coates in a fighting fifth place at the Northamptonshire track but fellow KRP riders Anthony Rogers and Robbie Stewart crashed out and have slipped down the championship standings.

At the start of the race Rogers immediately became embroiled in a hectic six bike battle for the lead and while the former boxer fought furiously with Luke Jones, Ashley Beech, Kev Coghlan and Luke Mossey with Coates in close attendance, Stewart sat patiently at the back of the group, planning to bide his time and move to the front as opportunities arose.

As the 15 lap race neared two-thirds distance, Stewart got on the move and passed Coates and Beech. But before the Perth youngster could make further progress, Coghlan ran in deep at the hairpin on lap 10 and clipped his front wheel when cutting back to the racing line, sending Stewart crashing to the tarmac and out of the race.

"Robbie tried to restart but the bars were bent and the bike was unrideable," explained disappointed KRP boss Mark Keen. "Then two laps later Anthony lost grip at the apex of Luffield and the bike washed away from under him. The fairing was damaged in the crash so he was also forced to retire."

By that time Mossey's Grand Prix spec Aprilia was setting the pace at the front of the field and Coates was holding fifth, but the fragile Italian machine broke down with two laps remaining, promoting the Irishman to fourth. Keen said: "Nikki was disappointed not to be challenging for the podium but he has shown he is now a consistent front five man and, but for having problems with backmarkers once again, he would have been much closer to the front."

Hayward endured a tough weekend. Severe chattering problems, possibly a result of his big Thruxton crash, cost him a great deal of track time and forced him to qualify on a bike set up for another rider. The team then used parts from his own bike to build him a hybrid machine for the race and the still-bruised Lincolnshire rider battled bravely through the field to fifth from fifteenth on the grid.

"It was a difficult and frustrating weekend for Tom," said Keen, "But the team pulled through for him in the end and he adapted very well and showed character to get a good result."

Keen continued: "The lads are all riding really well but the results are not necessarily showing it. We've got good bikes and cracking riders but things are not quite gelling yet. But Oulton Park is a strong circuit for us and we are all looking forward to it."

The next round of the British 125GP Championship takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7 at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

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