Hill hoping to bite rivals at Knockhill

Published on 23/06/2012 03:47

Defending champion Tommy Hill turns from hunted to hunter this weekend at the fifth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill after swimming with sharks yesterday.

The 27-year-old from Lingfield enters this weekend’s event one point behind Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) in the standings and seeking to repeat his Knockhill result of his championship-winning season. After swimming with sharks up to 12-feet long at Deep Sea World, by the Forth bridges, Hill (Swan Yamaha) said: “I don’t underestimate anyone out there. I’m riding hard at the moment and the competition’s close. I’m looking forward to it. It’s pretty tight round here, but I’m sure the bike will be going well. We went quite well last year in the wet and qualified on pole. The idea’s to repeat what we did last year.”

Hill was disappointed not to finish in the last round at Snetterton and is determined to bounce back. He added: “I was a little bit frustrated so I’m hoping to make the step forward and try to lead the championship again after Knockhill.”

Michael Laverty won in the last round to move to fourth in the standings. “The plan is to keep the momentum going,” the Honda Racing rider said. “I quite enjoy the Knockhill circuit and generally go quite good around here. It’s quite physical, because there’s no real rest on it. It’s 30 laps of all-out 100 per cent effort and normally when you have a good result round here you’ve earned it. The weather could play a deciding factor come Sunday, so we’ll just see what the weekend brings and hopefully bag a few more podium credits.”

Laverty feels sympathy for Scottish rider Stuart Easton, who misses out due to hip surgery. Laverty added: “Stuart’s been through the mill over the last year and a bit. It’s sad for him to miss this weekend. He’s done a good job to be on the podium already this year. Fingers crossed he’s back on the bike in two weeks’ time at Oulton Park.”