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GOURLAY TAKES THRILLING MALLORY PARK WIN

(Oxford 29.06.10) Lea Gourlay of Stratstone Racing claimed victory and was subsequently named ‘Rider of the Day’ in Round 2 of the Henderson Harley-Davidson® XR1200® Trophy at a sun-baked Mallory Park today.

It was Jeremy McWilliams of Warr’s Racing who led from the start, with classic bike racer Gourlay slotting into 2nd and Mike Edwards of RidersMotorcycles.com going 3rd. McWilliams, victor last time out, initially appeared to have built a gap before Gourlay fought his way back. McWilliams set the fastest lap of the race on lap 5 but this was not enough to keep Gourlay at bay. As the leading duo started to pull away, Edwards in 3rd was locked in a battle with Torquil Paterson of Edinburgh H-D, swapping places a number of times. Back up front, Gourlay eventually took the lead going around the outside of McWilliams at Shaw’s Corner on lap 12. As the pair began the penultimate lap of the 15 lap race, McWilliams re-took the lead at turn one just as Darren Fry of Black Bear Racing crashed out, bringing out the red flag. With the result counting back a lap, Goulay was awarded the win with McWilliams in 2nd and Edwards 3rd.

After taking his maiden victory in the Henderson Harley-Davidson® XR1200® Trophy Gourlay commented, “That was absolutely brilliant. I’m so pleased and I want to thank everyone at Stratstone Racing for all their hard work; after such a horrendous round last time at Oulton Park, they really deserved this win. To be able to race with Jeremy McWilliams, a megastar in the motorcycling world, and be right with him on equal machinery and then actually beat him, is a dream come true.”

Now leading the Championship standings on 45 points, McWilliams said “It’s been a great weekend overall, the XR1200® has been super reliable, but I’m disappointed for all the guys at Warr’s Racing. I feel a little bit hard done by to have missed out on the win because of the red flag, but these things happen and I’m glad to hear that Fry is ok. It was great to be racing so close with Gourlay, it really gave me a boost, and I couldn’t relax for a second. I’m really looking forward to getting to Knockhill now, it’s a track I think will suit the XR1200® and my riding a style a bit more.”

Edwards who is just 9 points behind McWilliams in the Championship said, “I’ve been struggling a bit for rear grip so I’ve not been able to go into or out of corners as quickly as I would have liked. But I was determined to get on to the podium for those Championship points. Thankfully Gourlay finished ahead of McWilliams which helps me stay in the Championship hunt.”

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