Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Shiny at Brands

[Spjallen]

We love sheep in Wales, so being one I thought I'd follow the flock and write a few lines too.

I arrived late Thursday night with the intention of a full test day on Friday as I've not ridden since sept ( due to my operation) and needed time to test the bike out that I'd put together in the garage this winter - and check that I was serviceable too.

First sit on the bike felt odd and the controls were all over the place and the seat felt really low and the tank huge! A few minutes into the test and the bike felt massively underpowered compared to my supersport bike, the sudden realisation that this really was all about corner speed and maintaining speed hit me hard, like George North does to his opposite number when flying down the wing. Anyway knuckled down to finding my way round and with only a few minor problems I started to feel more comfy. But what to rev too? And would the gear change lever stay on for more than two laps!??

Saturday couldn't come soon enough and qualifying was my typical bulid up, slowly getting quicker each lap as I tried different makers. Qualifying was sensible but I was amazed with the speed at the sharp end. Amazing with such little power, you guys are seriously good. 26th on the grid not great, but the aim was a solid run out, so job done thus far.

The race was soon underway with my brilliant start I managed to go from 26th to dead last by the first corner. This wasn't the plan! Anyway two laps in and I'd made 5 places up. I continued to make places up, especially into paddock but after passing about fifteen bikes the race was unfourtunaley stopped. not too bad in the shortened race.

Sunday morning was just glorious as I followed skids round in warm up. I felt really comfy and with a tweak on the suspension the bike was turning just great. Maybe I could do a little better. Top half of the field was the aim. My start was better but with constant missed gears I didn't go forward as quick as I'd hoped for. However, I had the greatest fun I've ever had on a race track with Miles, aka 31. For about five laps we traded places, it was truly great fun. With a few more missed gears I was stuck behind slow traffic and just couldn't get passed finishing the someplace as I originally started from. However I had improved my lap tims by over 2 seconds due to the battle. Top racing Miles.

With a heavy heart I had to post a dns to the final race due to the long journey home to North Wales and work committments very early on Monday morning. Tough but sensible decision.

Overall, a top weekend met some lovely people, enjoyed following Skids round and racing against / with Miles. Thanks to everyone that helped me, especially Julie, Simon W, Skids, Mossy and my sponsor the Royal Air Force Association. Roll on Snett.