TWO TOP TENS FOR JENTIN RACING-BMW MOTORRAD AT SILVERSTONE

Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad's Richard Cooper was happy to come away from Silverstone's two races with a good points haul despite suffering arm pump and facing British Superbike Racers.

The Nottingham man took ninth in race one on Saturday and eighth yesterday. Cooper was leading the opening leg - but painful arm pump on lap six forced him to slow the pace and other riders were able to come past. It was the same story in race two which, like the first outing, was won by BSB front-runner Josh Brookes.

Cooper said: "In the first race on Saturday, I had a poor start from the second row but managed to make my way up the field really quickly. The bike is a missile, our setup was spot on and overtaking was easy. By the end of the third lap I was third and mixing it. I was really comfortable and I felt that the guys in front were holding me up so I made a move for the lead which stuck.
 
"It's the first time this year I've led a race and it felt really nice and easy. I tried to get into a good rhythm but then I started to develop arm pump, which meant I really struggled to hold on to the bike. I tried to smooth out my riding style to compensate but you just can't stop people coming past you and you can't ride hard enough to fight back. To finish ninth is disappointing for me and the team as we showed we had the pace to win the race.
 
"Leading into the second race I was hoping for a better results but it didn't help that I made another bad start. Again I worked my way up the field quickly and was sitting in a comfortable sixth spot in the leading pack. I was really enjoying the race and had a bit of a dust up with BSB regular Michael Rutter. He pushed me wide a couple of times but it was all good, clean fun.
 
"I was pretty pleased to sit in the pack but then I started to develop arm pump again and once it starts there really isn't anything you can do except try and hold on.  You can't ride as aggressively and you do slow up and I just started to drop back in to the chasing riders. In the end I managed to finish eighth.
 
"I'm obviously disappointed for the team as we've shown we have a good package that is capable of winning races; it's just frustrating for me that I haven't been able to reward their hard work with a podium."
 
Team manager Bernie Toleman said: "With the addition of the BSB wildcards the two races this weekend were always going to be tougher than usual, particularly if you add into the equation the fact that we are racing at a new circuit and also had to endure two wet qualifying sessions on Friday.
 
"We were able to run at a race-winning pace initially but were gradually dragged back down the order by the onset of Richard's recurring arm pump or, to give it its more formal name, compartment syndrome. As a team we naturally have to address this issue and have decided to get Richard in for remedial surgery on his forearms as soon as we can possibly arrange it. Although this will mean he will have to sit out the upcoming championship rounds he should be back, and with the problem solved, be able to fulfil his true potential at the latter end of the season.
 
"Richard has been extremely resilient and shown some amazing speed in what have been a couple of very tough races for him. We've had to deal with these frustrations this weekend but the rider, bike and team have, once again, all performed extremely well together. Long may it continue."

Race 1

1 Josh BROOKES Honda - HM Plant Honda
2 Glen RICHARDS Honda - Padgetts Motorcycles
3 Howie MAINWARING Kawasaki - MSS Colchester
4 Jon KIRKHAM BMW - Jon Kirkham Racing / Clarks BMW
5 Simon ANDREWS Kawasaki - Blackhorse Kawasaki
6 Michael RUTTER BMW - RidersMotorcycles.com
7 Barry BURRELL Kawasaki - Buildbase Kawasaki
8 Sam WARREN Honda - Midland Motorsport
9 Richard COOPER BMW - Jentin Racing
10 Victor COX Yamaha - J&L Motorcycles

Race 2

1 Josh BROOKES Honda - HM Plant Honda
2 Michael RUTTER BMW - RidersMotorcycles.com
3 Jon KIRKHAM BMW - Jon Kirkham Racing / Clarks BMW
4 Sam WARREN Honda - Midland Motorsport
5 Simon ANDREWS Kawasaki - Blackhorse Kawasaki
6 Howie MAINWARING Kawasaki - MSS Colchester
7 Luke QUIGLEY Suzuki - Formwise-Astro Racing
8 Richard COOPER BMW - Jentin Racing - BMW Motorrad
9 Peter HICKMAN BMW - Enviro Racing
10 Barry BURRELL Kawasaki - Buildbase Kawasaki