Mixed Fortunes for Northpoint Ekerold Honda
Round 4 Oulton Park 30th April 2006

 
  Northpoint Ekerold Honda completed round four of the British Supersport Championship today at Oulton Park with mixed results. Cal was on blistering form after starting from the third row of the grid to complete the race in second place, continuing with his one hundred percent podium finishes so far this season. However the reigning Supersport champion, Leon Camier, had to retire from the race due to technical problems whilst in the lead.
     
Both riders got off to a good start of the sixteen lap race with Leon completing the first lap at the front of the field and Cal in touch with the leaders in fifth. However, after qualifying in second, Leon was very disappointed to retire with clutch problems at the end of lap two. His strength aboard the Pirelli shod bike has become more and more apparent over recent weeks and it is only a matter of time before he parks it on the podium. It was very unfortunate that he was unable to complete the race today.
     
  Cal, who is still suffering after a crash yesterday, rode a hard race battling with the top three for the lead. He remained in touch with leaders Eugene Laverty and Tom Sykes for the majority of the first few laps of yet another exhilarating race around the beautiful 4.332Km circuit. The 20 year old, who qualified in ninth position, moved up to the leading position on lap ten but was re-taken by Laverty on lap fourteen.
     
Despite his impressive efforts, Crutchlow was unable to find a way around the Red Bull Honda rider in the final lap and the pair crossed the line neck and neck. The Coventry-man was just 0.105 seconds behind the race winner and completed the race with his fourth consecutive podium finish of the season so far. Cal is now second in the championship standings, just one point behind the top spot and will hope to continue his form at the next round in Ireland.
 
Leon said; “I'm gutted to have not finished today. We were looking very strong all weekend and the bike felt great. I got a good start and felt that we could definitely have been challenging for a podium finish, if not a win. Unfortunately my luck ran out and it was completely out of my hands, I can only hope to be able to get some solid results in the next few rounds.”

Cal said; “I'm pleased to have been on the podium again today. After yesterday's difficulties it was great that I could get a good start and challenge for the lead immediately. The team have worked very hard this weekend and it has paid off. I am only one point behind the championship leader and I'm looking forward to challenging that at Mondello Park in a few weeks time.”

Race Manager Simon Buckmaster said; “We would have liked to have won today but with Cal still sore after yesterday's crash, second place has kept our championship challenge right on track. The team worked very hard with Leon and we had a great setup which was shown with his qualifying result, it was unfortunate that he was unable to complete the race. We're confident it is only a matter of time before he gets a podium finish.”

Northpoint Ekerold Honda's next outing is at the British Supersport round at Mondello Park on the 21st May.


 
Race Results: Championship Standings:

1. Eugene Laverty

2. Cal Crutchlow

3. Tom Sykes

4. Stuart Easton

5. Pere Riba

6. Ian Lowry

7. Steve Plater

8. Jamie Robinson

9. Steven Neate

10. Jay Vincent

1. Eugene Laverty – 82points

2. Cal Crutchlow – 81 points

3. Stuart Easton – 64 points

4. Per Riba – 49 points

5. Tom Sykes – 44 points

6. Jamie Robinson – 35 points

7. Leon – 24 points

8. Jay Vincent – 18 points

9. Steve Plater 18 points

10. Ian Lowry – 16 points