Kane impresses on world stage as Noble dominates at home

Women's World Championship protagonist, Natalie Kane, flew the MVR-D flag in true style at the weekend, as the Irish Suzuki rider took an impressive sixth place overall at the Catalunya Grand Prix, ending the weekend by moving higher up the championship standings.

Competing in the third round of the championship held at Bellpuig, Kane impressed early on, finishing 6th in timed practice, before going on to ride at a fast pace in the first race of the day, finishing in seventh place, behind Nicky van Wordragen and eventual race winner Stephanie Laier.

Race two saw Kane's determination pay-off, as the RM-Z250 rider made an improved start and moved up two places by the finish, trailing Germany's Maria Franke home to a fifth place finish.

Kane commented, "Naturally I'm pretty pleased with my performance, but you always want more. The competition was strong, but we held our own and the bike performed faultlessly. I really need to compete in the World Championship to bring my riding on, and I'm sure it's paying off. I'm sitting in 6th in the World standings now, which I think we can be pretty pleased with."

For teammate Mattis Karro, The Grand Prix of Catalunya ended by being a round for the Latvian to forget, after struggling to get to grips with the circuit due to his recent injury. With an 18th in race one and being forced to retire with a wrenched thumb in race two, it was certainly a bogey round for Karro, who has been on tremendous form since the beginning of the season.

Team manager, Mark Chamberlain commented, "Well done to Nat. She rode another mature race and is learning in the best way possible. She keeps her head and gets on with the job in hand, which is extremely encouraging for a rider so young. Mattis just had one of those weekends, due mainly to his injury. Everyone knows his true pedigree so this doesn't worry me at all, but we are getting his thumb looked at this week by a hand specialist."

Back at home the team had plenty to celebrate about, after James Noble secured the overall win at the Fuchs Silkolene 2-Stroke Championship, held at Landrake, near Plymouth. Storming to a pair of race wins and one second place result, Noble took the overall win with ease.