Photo: MNJ Photography www.mnjphotography.co.uk
Hill had led the championship after the opening round, but was forced to watch from the sidelines after he sustained a shoulder injury when he fell between Brittens and Hilltop following Loris Baz’s crash moments before. Hill is now recovering from a torn tendon on the back of his shoulder and is going to visit a specialist for further assessment in the hope of a return at the next round of the championship in ten days’ time at Croft. Laverty meanwhile proved the pace of the Swan Yamaha, running at the front of the field until arm pump halted his progress in the first race. In the second race Laverty looked set to score his first win of the season until a mistake at Hizzy’s chicane on the final lap whilst running second put him on the grass and when he rejoined he was fifth.
Hill said: "Today has been one of those days which just show the ups and downs of racing. We were feeling really confident and I was really happy, we had set pole position and looked in a strong position for the races. Then it all just went wrong. I was coming out of Shell and I knew I was up on the sector times, but as I came into Brittens I saw a yellow flag out the corner of my eye and rolled off a bit. I didn’t see anyone down, but there was just fluid on the track and I just it caught it with the rear tyre and it threw me off. It is a big downer for me and the team but I just have to go home and get mended as soon as I can.
These injuries I have been told can take five to six weeks to heal, but I will see a specialist tomorrow and then we can go from there. Of course I want to be back for Croft, but I won’t have more of an idea until I see the specialist. The points system though could play into my hands, as I can drop today’s results before the Showdown. I need to make sure that when I come back I am at full fitness so I can do the best job I can in getting the championship back on track for Swan Yamaha."
Laverty said: "I am quite disappointed that we didn’t finish on the podium in either of the races today as I showed that we had the pace again to run at the front. I felt comfortable with the race pace and in race one I was struggling a little with arm pump which meant I just had to settle in and take fifth. I had some treatment between the races and it did make a difference and I was back at the sharp end where we knew we could be. I felt strong enough to take the win, but I just made some mistakes and it cost me; before I knew it I had gone from first to fifth. I know that Oulton Park has never been my best circuit; in fact it is one that I have always struggled with, so coming away from here with two fifth places isn’t a bad result and we can build on today."
Team Manager Gary Ekerold concluded: "Tommy did everything right all weekend so his crash this morning was very unfortunate. We know that he will leave here, work hard on his fitness and when he returns he will be ready to come back fighting again. In regards to Michael, he showed he could have won as easily as he finished fifth. We have had a positive debrief this evening and now we are happy with the direction we need to focus on ahead of Croft."
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