Mixed Fortunes For Cooper In Superstock And Supersport TT‏

Dan Cooper endured a mixed two days of racing at the Isle of Man TT Races when a strong result in yesterday's four lap RL 360 Superstock race was tempered by a disappointing retirement in today's Monster Supersport encounter.

The delayed RL 360 Superstock race finally got underway at 1.45pm yesterday afternoon and with a solid opening lap of 122.820mph, the Stroud-based rider had moved up to 22nd and with a 123mph plus lap second time around, he maintained station as he made his solitary pit stop. A good stop saw him move up inside the top twenty on the penultimate lap and with his fastest lap of the race on the fourth and final lap recorded at 124.169mph, he was able to complete the race in 19th place aboard the 1000cc Tsingtao WK HMQ Kawasaki for his first silver replica of the week.

Today saw him back in action around the Mountain Course, this time on the 600cc Tsingtao WK HMQ Kawasaki, for the second Monster Supersport race and an opening lap of 121.275mph allowed him to move up to 20th place. Going quicker second time around at 121.575mph he was up to 17th and making good progress up the leaderboard but it all came to an end at Kerrowmoar on the third lap when an engine problem saw him coast to a halt.

Speaking after today's race Dan said: "I had a bit of traffic to get through in the first two laps of the Superstock race and it took me a while to get going and with a couple of yellow flags, I never really got a clear lap. I pressed on though and although I managed to knock my transponder off on the third lap, meaning the team wasn't sure where I was on the track or what position I was in, I was pleased with my final lap and also to notch up a good top twenty finish and pick up my first silver replica of the week.

"I was really looking forward to the Supersport race today but right from the off the bike felt slow and, to be honest, I'm surprised my first two laps were over 121mph. I was really struggling for speed but had begun to make good progress when the bike stopped just after Ginger Hall and it looks like it's dropped a valve. It's a real shame as with the way things panned out, I could have been on for a top 15 finish but you really need a quick bike in the 600cc class to have any chance of a top ten finish. With a bit of luck, we'll get some good practice under our belts tomorrow and finish with two good rides on Friday."

Dan's final two races come on Friday with the three lap Lightweight and six lap Senior race.


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