Well another weekend over and solid points on the board but it could have delivered so much more. From the first session I felt so comfortable on my WFR Honda, consistently in the top 5,quick on new and used tyres. Qualifying started wet and by q3 ended dry. It was one of those sessions were everything felt so comfortable, unlike the week before at Brands. I made it through each session in the top 5 and when we bolted soft tyres in I went P4, my first ever front row. It felt great but it is only were I should be. I lost 0.2 on ideal lap times which would have put me second but I was excited for raceday. It was nice to claim WFR,s first qualifying front row.

I was calm and relaxed before race one, after P3 in morning warm up. Race one, I did not make the best of starts and saw Tommy Hill and Lowry disappearing, but I was just about on the back of the fight for the podium, I felt to be riding very much on the safe side as I knew tyres would be critical towards the last few laps. I was very gentle on the power but my rear tyre gave up the ghost with 7 laps left and I could do no better than 9th. I was disappointed as I felt a podium was possible.

We had no option but to race the hard rear tyre in race two. It worked a lot better, and was more consistent the whole race but just did not have the outright grip of the soft one. I was spinning a lot and this was costing me time compared to the others and I had to push the front a lot. I fought from 15th to 9th despite running off track and I actually enjoyed the race and how I rode. It was again not ideal to finish 9th and not what I woke up for but it was solid points and when you have a bad day and are in the top ten it shows the potential we have.

We have had three races now and I am up to 7th in the championship, only two points from the showdown. Consistency is everything and we have to keep pushing at Oulton. I'm looking forward to riding the WFR Honda there and keeping the momentum going. Once again the team did a great job and it's a pleasure working with such a good crew. I feel they are making me a better rider and together we will keep pushing.

Looking forward to a few weeks training to get ready for 3 races at Oulton.

Thank you for the support

Well that is round one of BSB 2012 done and it was a mixed weekend really. We ended up with a 8th place which isn't too bad coming from 22nd. Free practice went well ending up comfortably in the top ten. We tested different tyres all weekend and had a good race setup for the dry. Qualifying was mixed conditions and I rode terrible and let my team down, I qualified 22nd and that was a big disappointment. It was all about timing and I missed the chance to use a slick rear.

I was pumped for race day and wanted to make amends. I fought hard and finished 8th, which was good. I made a mistake when the pace car came in otherwise I could have been in the mix for 5th. Race 2, I was determined to go with them from the second row but the race was cancelled due to weather and track conditions.

I feel good on the bike and my team are mega. I'm so happy to be with Team WFR and we now have some momentum to take to Thruxton. I'm going to have a couple of chill days before we head to the track on Thursday, recharge the batteries and go again. I'm excited to get to another track and see what we can do. A big thank you to Team WFR, Roger, Colin, Angus, Vic and Karlos.

Thanks for all the support.

Well we are only a few days away from the very first round of the 2012 British Superbike championship and I personally cannot wait to get to Brands Hatch and get back into the racing groove. Testing is great but racing is why we get out of bed!

We have had two trips to Spain, one in October and one in February. We have a bike that is very different to the one I first rode at Donington Park last year, and I am eager to see where we lie. It is great to be a Team WFR rider this season, after a demoralising start to 2011 it was a boost to be wanted by the team and for them to give me my chance this year. The team is so professional and that is so important to when competing at this level. If you dont do it properly you might as well leave the bikes in the truck!

I feel we have a good chance this year to do well. I have had a great winter, training hard with plenty of cycling, running and gym work and after last year I am better physically and mentally prepared.

speak soon

James