Doubles for Rowbottom and Lo Turco

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Scott Rowbottom and Brazilian Rhalf Lo Turco both picked up two race victories in the Michelin Young Guns and TDG Cup classes of the Triumph Triple Challenge at Cadwell Park. The entire grid of 675 riders also paid a final tribute to 19 year-old Aleksanders Bekers.

A subdued TTC paddock headed back to the challenge of Cadwell Park and it was Rowbottom who opened proceedings with victory in the Superpole race on Saturday morning. Lance Carey found his earlier season form to come home in second, with Michelin Young Guns points leader Mark Cringle taking the final podium position.

Behind them, it was Lo Turco’s turn to finally step onto the top of the podium, after being so close already this season. Jack Sim followed him home to gain another podium result. Meanwhile Richard Green picked up third in the TDG Cup.

On Sunday morning for the first of the two races, the riders adorned black armbands and a minutes silence was held for Latvian Bekers, who crashed while competing in his home country just prior to the Cadwell Park event.

In a fitting close race, it was Josh Wainwright who eventually took the chequered flag for Young Guns honours after fighting his way back up the order after a poor start. Mark Cringle had led for most of the race but crashed out on the exit of the chicane on the last lap, promoting Carey and Rowbottom up to second and third respectively.

Lo Turco pulled off his double with some audacious passes on Mark Cheetham for the TDG Cup silverware. Cheetham bounced back from a non-finish on Saturday to take second place, with Jack Sim again rounding out the podium.

At the end of the weekend the heavens opened for the last race and it was Rowbottom who dominated the entire field in the early stages, pulling out a lead which would never be caught. Behind him, it was Cheetham and Sim who came the closest to challenging the eventual winner. Reece Rothwell and Cringle rounded out the Michelin Young Guns podium as Lo Turco was unable to make it a hat-trick and had to settle for third place.