Max Cook completed his rookie campaign in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship by topping the R&G Rising Stars league, holding off Charlie Nesbitt and Bradley Perie after their debut seasons.
The Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki rider had a strong rookie campaign and was soon battling for top ten finishes, breaking into the top ten at Brands Hatch in August, before fighting for a podium position at Thruxton with a season best finish of fourth place. Cook scored six top ten finishes, two within the top five and now he is looking ahead to remaining with the team for next season in Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki colours.
Cook said: “To finish my first season in BSB as the top rookie is amazing. I am so happy and the year couldn’t have gone too much better to be honest. I started the year learning and just building as each track we visited; it was my first time there on the 1000cc Superbike so it was pretty mental to learn the tracks all over again. There is no longer any rest point and it is so different and a huge eye-opener for my physical fitness too as to ride perfectly is a huge challenge.
“You are up against some of the best riders in the world and I am happy. I had a moment of brilliance at Thruxton which is definitely the highlight of my year, to lead the race there and scrap at the front in all three races is something I won’t forget in a hurry! It would have been amazing to have been on the podium, but it makes me even more hungry for next year.
“I got a little bit too excited and crashed at Cadwell Park and then it was rebuilding and I came into the last three rounds really good and it was building on the first visit. I could crack on and each round I picked up momentum and had some good final rounds. I think we sealed the year off with arguably my best performance of the year at Brands Hatch to be up to fifth at one point and be battling. It was a good end to the year and now I already want to get started on next year!”