As you probably know, I suffered a nasty injury at Cadwell Park back in February this year. After going through a lot of pain, I was airlifted to Lincoln hospital where I was told that I had dislocated my right shoulder. However, I crashed at such speed that the rotor cuff tendons had been torn away. This is what has put me out of racing for the year - it requires an extensive recovery time! Had it been a simple dislocation, I probably would have been straight back on a bike!
I have since had surgery to repair my shoulder and have been attending regular physiotherapy sessions over in Lincoln. A lot of time is required to fix a shoulder as damaged as it was but now, seven months later, I finally feel confident and fit enough to get back on a race bike.
Over the past couple of months, I have been attending the odd track day to ease myself back into the whole process. At first, I really struggled to ride a bike and could barely reach the handlebars in some instances. However, as my movement came back, I started to find it easier. I am still not 100% but I am sure I can get there before the beginning of next season.
This weekend, I attended the Thundersport GB round at Mallory Park. Originally a three day meeting, Thundersport decided to support Mallory Park in their dispute with local authorities and rescheduled a one-day event. This was to comply with new rules which dictate that the circuit can only operate on Wednesdays and Sundays. To their credit, the Thundersport team managed to condense a full weekend of racing into one day and still make it a spectacle.
My last race meeting was at this very circuit, where I was crowned champion of the Superstock 1000 class. However this time round, I swapped the orange, white and purple colours of the Knight Road Race Team for the orange, white and black of team a.l.joinery. After a year out of racing, I made the hard decision to leave the KRR Team. At the time, I was fully convinced that I would never race again. But as my circumstances changed, Andy Barker offered me the exciting opportunity to ride his bike for the team.
I was joined by young Jordan Rushby on a 600 as I embarked on my first race back in the GP1s. I have to admit that I was slightly nervous about racing again but as the day progressed, everything came flooding back to me. The team were fantastic and provided me with everything I could've wanted. It really was an enjoyable day and something that I look forward to repeating in the future.
The bike was a joy to ride and I finished the first race in 9th and the second in 3rd. I am still over the moon that I could reward the team with a trophy for my first meeting back and it has also done wonders for my confidence! I have spent months speculating about my ability to race so it is nice to know that I could be as competitive as I once was.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank my sponsors for everything they had done for me last year to help me win the championship and also those who were prepared to sponsor me again this year. Without your help, I really would not be able to race as I simply cannot afford to support myself in this sport anymore.
I also have to thank Charlotte and Alan for everything that they have done for me over the past few years. I have had my ups and downs on the Ducati (who hasn't?!) but I am extremely thankful for their investment in my racing. I loved racing the 800 and 1198 and competing in all of the brilliant races I've had as part of the KRRT. It's nice to know that we departed as champions. I wish you both all the very best for the future and I am sure that I will keep seeing you around the paddock!!
Pictures courtesy of The Bike Insurer and Glyn Richardson
