Gilbertson ready for super show (From This Is Wiltshire)

Gilbertson ready for super show

10:42am Wednesday 29th April 2009 in

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By Ryan Bangs

SWINDON’S Kenny Gilbertson insists the pre-season nerves are gone and he is ready to make an impact during ViSK British Superbike round two at Oulton Park.

The 22-year-old failed to reach the podium in his full British Superbike Cup debut at Brands Hatch finishing sixth and fourth as Quay Garage rider Gary Mason claimed back-to-back race wins.

Gilbertson hadn’t set foot on his Jx Fuelcard Kawasaki bike prior to Brands Hatch but has had plenty of time to make changes after squeezing in a test at Snetterton ahead of his trip to Cheshire.

And the Wiltshire ace – who finished 13th in last year’s National Superstock Championship – is predicting big things after getting the welcome nods and handshakes out of the way.

“I had a lot of nerves prior to Brands Hatch – I think that was more to do with it being the first race of the season than anything else,” said Gilbertson – who sits fourth in the Cup rankings with 23 points.

“But I am dying to ride again it really feels like the season is in full flow now and that it never ended so I am desperate to get out there at Oulton Park.

“We were fairly consistent at Brands Hatch – for a first round performance with no testing to come away with fourth was a good effort.

“The bike was more of a Superstock one than a Superbike but we have made changes and hopefully that will show next time out.

“The team have done fantastically well and I am sure they will continue to do so. We have broken the back now we just have to bide our time and keep building on things.”

Early leader Mason will head to Oulton Park as the red-hot favourite following his Brands Hatch heroics – but like Gilbertson won’t have it all his own way with the Superbike Cup back to full strength.

Tom Tunstall and Matt Bond were both forced to sit out last time out after a collision on the first lap of race one but will both be eager to make up for lost time.

And with fellow privateers Alastair Fagan and Brian McCormack also looking to make up for lost time – Gilbertson knows he can’t rely on Lady Luck to bail him out once again at Oulton Park.

“The results at Brands might have been down to luck more than anything else because a few people crashed out,” added Gilbertson.

“But looking to Oulton Park we want to progress with the bike and the set up and get some good results for the team.

“I really like Oulton Park it is a real riders’ circuit – there are some good corners and it is a big flowing track where as Brands is a bit small and feels like you are going around in circles.”

British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next race Oulton Park on Monday, May 4, and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com