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The Real Cycle People
44 George Street, Perth

Monza 9-11 May 2008

The 3rd round of the championship was in Monza, Italy on the 9th May.

Yet another circuit to be learnt but I was looking forward to it. My first free practice went well, and I was in 24th position - very good for my first time on the track with a 1'57.615. The conditions were warm, the track was fast and flowing. Monza has very long straights with two slow chicanes and I found it a very tricky track to learn.

In Saturday qualifying I was increasing my performance trying to get a good position for the grid so I could improve my grid position and eventual result in the race. I was getting better and better as qualifying minutes were ticking away. I managed to tag on to a quick rider and I was on a very quick lap and doing my best lap going into the last corner but unfortunately I tipped off losing the front end at high speed. I was ok apart from my back being tender, I had to get this checked out with heat pads on. I had done a 1'57.615.

I was sitting on the grid feeling good and confident as my team mechanics were making me feel this way, saying that I can do well and to give it my best shot. I had my new leathers on that I received from Scott Leathers on the Sunday morning, they felt and looked real good.

I got a good start passing down the outside as everyone hugged the inside line, I was lucky as riders crashed and took each other out, everyone got into the race and I was running in a good position. There was a lot of slipstreaming going on because of the straights, as the laps ticked away riders were changing positions. There was a crash the lap before and it caused a spillage of fuel on the track, as we came around the corner there was about eight riders involved and I was one of them. As I walked back to the pits the crowd cheered so I gave them a wave to let them know I was fine, I was hoping to get back out, but missed the bell for the pits. Davy Paton and Danny Brill never got out either, so we were all disappointed with this. I did enjoy the track and I am looking forward to Germany, and hopefully we will be doing a British round at Donington Park.

Reports from other rounds.

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