BMC Racing: BSB Rd1 - Let the show begin!

And so the time arrived...iDAQ.COM/BMC Racing were at Brands Hatch for round one of the National 600 Superstock championship. The new look bike, awning and race clothing were proudly being displayed in the paddock of britains elite bike racing championships. Everyone was excited about what the weekend might deliver.

The weather was fantastic all weekend and Leon was in good spirits for qualifying. There were two groups, and Leon was in group 'A'. He steadily got quicker and quicker over the two sessions and was actually the second quickest in his group. Group 'B' turned out to be a slightly quicker group generally, but Leon's lap time of 48.558 secs was enough to put himself on row two in sixth place. A terrific result for Leon and for the whole team.

Race day arrived and the place was buzzing with excitement. The crowds turned up in their thousands to enjoy the days racing. And it wasn't long before the build-up to the Superstock 600 started. Leon, Mike, Rod and Craig all headed down to pit lane to compete alongside some of the best riders in the country. There were two warm-up laps before they all assembled on to the start grid. The lights went on, then off, and we were under way. All forty riders hurtled towards 'Paddock Hill Bend', and as the pack dropped down the hill one rider could be seen leading the way. And it was the unmistakeable black and pink machine of Leon as he showed them the way up towards the hairpin. I have to say, it was a very proud moment to see hime out in front. This was the moment the whole team had worked for years towards. He then led the race for a good couple of laps before dropping back a little to about sixth/seventh. I believe there was a tyre pressure issue, and just as Leon seemed to start and get his head round it and start making in-roads to the riders in front, he got taken out at the hairpin! An ambitious move by another rider , who then lost the front, took both riders out of the race. It was a real shame, Leon was most definitely on for some good championship points, and who knows, he may have been able to push for a podium if he'd finished the race. But that's racing for you, and to have led the race was a clear indication that Leon means business and isn't here just to make up the numbers.

Thankfully Leon was ok after the crash, which is the main thing, and it was now a case of regrouping and focusing on round two of the championships at Oulton Park a week later. Well done Leon, it really was a positive start to the season.