TEENAGER Liam Delves registered another podium finish when he rode to a fine third place in round ten of the British Motostar championship at Assen in the Netherlands over the weekend.
The Smiths Wood Sports college student was making his first visit to the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ and he was faced with the daunting task of learning his way around the circuit before he could start to get up to race speed.
But the 15-year-old used a scooter ride around the circuit to his advantage as he came to grips with the intricate track layout.
For the two races the Motostar riders were joined on track by a contingent of Dutch riders who were riding alongside the British riders but scoring points just in their own championship.
Riding the Banks Racing GP125 Honda, Delves qualified fifth in his class and began the sprint race from a ninth row grid position on Saturday.
He made a bad start and dropped down the order to seventh but the teenager got his head down and focused on the task of catching the riders ahead.
As they began the penultimate lap it was not looking too good for the youngster who was running in seventh position, but three of his opponents crashed out of the race promoting him up to third place which he held to the chequered flag.
“I like the Assen circuit,” said Delves. “It is smooth and fast and seemed to suit me. I have never been here before which was a handicap but I did my homework and soon learned my way around.
“But for my bad start I did ok and my lap times came down as I got to grip with the track layout. It’s a shame for the three riders that fell near to the end of the race but it played right into my hand and helped me score another podium finish.
“As they say, it’s those who cross the finish line that bag the points and that was very true on Saturday.”
The second race on Sunday was interrupted by a shower of rain and Delves had made it up to fourth place on the fourth lap when the red flag halted the race.
A new race was declared to run over just six laps which did not provide a lot of time for Delves to move upfield. But he was up for the challenge and moved from ninth to eighth on the second lap and when Andrew Sawford slowed with a problem Liam snatched the chance to overtake him and move into seventh place which he held with ease to the chequered flag.
“Overall I scored well at Assen and as it was my first time here I am quite happy with my results, Delves added. “Thanks to my team, Banks Racing who gave me the opportunity to race in this championship this year, also all my sponsors and my family for their support.
The 25 points scored at Assen bring Liam’s total to 200 and place him fifth in the rider standings with two rounds – four races remaining. The penultimate round is at Silverstone over the weekend of October 2-4 when Liam will be anxious to score well to edge nearer to a top three position.
