Max Cook is gearing up for his home round of the ZYN British Superbike Championship this weekend (August 14/15/16) at Thruxton and the AJN Steelstock bimota rider arrives still chasing his first race win, at a circuit that has been a happy hunting ground in the past.
Cook celebrated his first podium success at his home circuit and after having his strongest campaign to date this season, he is eager to achieve his next goal of a race victory. Cook holds fifth in the standings ahead of Thruxton, with seven podiums after a bruising weekend last time out at Oulton, and he has high hopes for this weekend.
Cook said: “Obviously Oulton Park was a good start to the weekend, really happy to get my first qualifying pole positon, fastest ever lap of the circuit, I think that was a big achievement for me and the team as I didn’t expect it to come there as it wasn’t perhaps what I would feel is my strongest track. It came as a bit of a surprise and I was really happy with that and I definitely was happy to take it!
“The races were a bit more tricky; race one was fine and I was in the leading pack when I crashed out of fifth and unfortunately that ruined the rest of the weekend for me. I was riding on Sunday feel sore and I was glad to get a fifth and sixth position to bring home some points. Race three was probably one of the hardest last half of a race that I have ever done as I felt so beaten up, I was just so lucky that I didn’t break anything to be honest! I was glad to see the chequered flag in both races and I am now looking ahead to Thruxton.
“I think it will be amazing! I think the AJN Steelstock bimota should work super well there, it is my favourite track, it’s always a good turn out and I have loads of support from family and friends there as it is the closest one to home. It is the one I always look forward to every year, it always makes a great race and anyone can win it! It is one of the tracks where you have to be strategic, manage the tyre and be in the fight at the end. I am really looking forward to getting there, getting the bike dialled in and hopefully we can make it happen there!”