By JACK BRADSHAW

Last updated at 12:08, Monday, 16 July 2012

LOCAL superbike star, Graeme Gowland, moved up to 13th place overall in the MCE British Championship after a trio of excellent performances at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

It was the first triple-header of the season and the sixth round altogether, and Gowland recovered from qualifying setbacks to finish in the top ten in all three races.

Gowland began Saturday’s qualifying session well by ending qualifying one in seventh place.

However, in Q2, disaster struck as his bike stalled and Gowland had to settle for 20th place on Sunday’s starting grid.

It was therefore an excellent display which saw him surge through the field in the opening race, snatching ninth place.

He carried his momentum into the second race which saw a fascinating battle with WFR teammate James Westmoreland, and Gowland secured 10th.

In the final race, it was a similar story of teammates battling against each other, but Gowland got the better of Westmoreland for the second time with another 10th place finish.

Afterwards, Gowland said: “It was a tough weekend with a few bike gremlins at the worst possible moments which thankfully the team were able to sort.

“I will now focus on the second half of the series which kicks off at Brands Hatch, a track I really like, in a few weeks.”

First published at 09:11, Monday, 16 July 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk