Premier-backed Rob Guiver maintained his impressive start to the Ducati Tri-Options Cup campaign claiming two second-place finishes at the weekend’s Round Three action at Oulton Park.
The Essex racer, whose season was wrecked last year with a smash at Brands Hatch which left him with two broken hands and a fractured ankle, delivered the goods on his Ducati Hyside (Romford) 959 Panigale despite suffering severe pain in one of his hands.
“It was like someone stabbing my hand with a dagger,” revealed Rob after Race One on Sunday. Everything felt really good until about three laps from the end and then the pain really kicked in my hand. Trying to hold on over the bumps and into the wind was massively painful but I just kept pushing.
“I didn’t want to slow down and lose the rhythm so I just kept going and going. Second was a good result although I am a little bit gutted I didn’t bring it home.”
Rob’s fastest lap of 1:41.187 saw him line up for Monday’s Race 2 at the front of the grid with Race One winner Sean Leary (Zoek Racing) in second and Phil Atkinson (Highsparks Motorsport) in third.
Sadly, Rob’s hopes of getting off to a flier suffered the same fate as his Race One intentions. Pole-sitter Guiver failed to get off the line well but battled back into contention from fifth. The Hyside man closed down leader Levi Day (Boast Plumbing) in the closing stages, only to have backmarkers deny any chance of challenging for a win.
Neary put in another strong ride to claim the final podium position, with Highspark Motorsports’ Lewis Rollo and Phil Atkinson claiming fourth and fifth respectively. Neary’s two podium finishes saw him leave Oulton Park leading the championship with 95 points. Guiver now sits second with 86 points and another Premier-supported rider, Josh Wainwright third with 78.
Afterward, Rob lamented his poor start. “I really need to work on my starts. I gave myself loads of work to do. The pain in my hand started a lot earlier, about laps four or five, but if you had offered me two second places from the weekend I’d have taken that all day long. So, really, really pleased and I’ve moved up the championship. Roll on Snetterton”
2018 Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Calendar
Apr 1 – 3 Donington
Apr 13 – 15 Brands Hatch Indy
May 5 – 7 Oulton Park
June 15 – 17 Snetterton 300
July 20 -22 Brands Hatch GP
Aug 17 – 19 Cadwell Park
Sep 7 – 9 Silverstone GP
