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McWilliams claims first XR1200 Trophy race win

(01.05.10) Former GP racer Jeremy McWilliams claimed the race win in today's season opener of the Henderson Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy at Oulton Park in Cheshire. The Warr's Racing rider, who had World Superbike competitor Leon Haslam on hand to do his pit signalling and Leon's girlfriend Ollie as his grid girl, claimed an early race lead from pole position and held his place at the front of the pack for the duration of the 10-lap race. He was first past the chequered flag to claim 25 points and an early championship lead in the seven race battle that also visits Mallory Park, Knockhill, Brands Hatch and Cadwell Park this year.

Not far behind him, classic bike racer Lee Gourlay fought it out in an exciting scrap with Mike 'Spike'Edwards for second place, but four laps in - and just after setting the fastest lap of the race - Stratstone Racing rider Gourlay crashed out and was unable to rejoin the race. Fellow Stratstone Racing rider Alex Gault also endured a big moment when he ran onto the grass but managed to stay upright and rejoined the action to finish in sixth.

Mike Edwards kept his RidersMotorcycles.com bike on track to pass the finish line six tenths of a second behind McWilliams for the second step on the podium. His team-mate, former British Superbike competitor Sean Emmett, was less fortunate as he was forced to retire early from the 10-lap race with a technical problem on lap five.

Harley-Davidson Leeds rider Dijon Compton benefited from Gourlay's mistake, moving up from fourth position to third. He stayed there to claim third place and the final spot on the opening podium of the series. He was satisfied with the performance and said: "The bike is very good; it's done its job and I'd like to say a huge thank you to the Harley-Davidson Leeds workshop for turning out such a great bike. It's good to be in the company of riders like McWilliams and Edwards!"

Mike Edwards was delighted with the closeness of the racing. "It was a really good ride," he said "and was very competitive with Lee Gourlay, Alex Gault and Jeremy McWilliams. This one-make series is all about having fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself out there. I'm looking forward to the next round at Mallory Park."

Race winner Jeremy McWilliams said: "The Warr's Racing team have been incredibly supportive and had more confidence in me than I had. We really wanted to go out and win the first XR1200 Trophy race and it all went according to plan, so that was brilliant. Oulton Park is a funny circuit so I had to get out there and learn it again but the bike ran like a dream."

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