Double podium success for CF Motorsport

Cal Cooper continued his fine run of form with his fifth consecutive podium in the Superstock 600 class.

With wet conditions for Friday’s practice session, Cooper was still learning the circuit in the opening qualifying session.

He ended the day third fastest. However, by Saturday’s second qualifying session, Cooper had undoubtedly got to grips with the Northamptonshire track.

He went inside the existing lap record to claim his third consecutive pole position.

Cooper took the holeshot in Sunday’s race, which was stopped on the first after several riders crashed out.

Cooper then was able to repeat his good start in the re-run, which he led until he was overtaken by Luke Hedger on lap four.

Cooper fought back and regained the lead on lap 6, before eventually losing out to Hedger at Village on the final lap.

His second place finish, his fifth podium in a row, has now moved Cooper up to third in the overall standings, with just one round remaining.

In the British Supersport class, both Glenn Irwin and Nikki Coates were looking to build on their promising debuts at Assen.

Irwin looked particularly impressive in the wet on Friday, finishing third fastest.

Coates’ weekend took a difficult turn when he crashed on his first flying lap in the solitary qualifying session.

He lost the front, on a cold tyre, at the left-hander of Farm and had to sit out the rest of the session. Irwin qualified eighth fastest.

Saturday’s sprint race saw Irwin get forced off track at Stowe on the opening lap.

That dropped him down to 22nd. He recovered well to salvage a strong eighth place finish. Coates, who started from the back of the grid, fought his way through to 22nd, sixth in the Cup.

Sunday’s featured race proved to be a more successful outing for both riders.

Irwin came through a battle to finish sixth, after gaining four places over the last two laps.

Coates also finished strongly to secure his first Cup podium of the season with a third position, 17th overall.

CF Motorsport boss Craig Fitzpatrick said: “We have had a good weekend with both Cal and Nikki getting on the podium and Glenn scoring two top-10s. It has been a bit busy with three bikes but the team have all worked fantastically again.

Cal Cooper added: “Learning the track was really difficult due to the long lap but I managed to get to grips with it quick enough for qualifying.

“It was a good race but when Luke (Hedger) passed me into the complex, I didn’t realise it was the last lap so I didn’t defend like I should have. I’m disappointed with that but still happy to get a podium.”