BSB: Dennis Hobbs Croft summary

Despite being injured in a 150mph smash just over a week ago, Hobbs Racing rider Dennis Hobbs rewarded his local fans with a heroic performance in front of a massive crowd at Croft in round ten of the THINK! British Superbike Cup yesterday.

Riding the Scott Leathers backed 1000cc Suzuki, the 22 year old from Guisborough was hospitalised after suffering neck and back injuries when he crashed at the official test day last week and after undergoing intensive physiotherapy for a week, was pronounced fit enough to ride just in time for his local meeting.

Unable to rotate his neck properly or to crouch down behind the screen, Hobbs qualified on row four of the grid before charging to a superb 14th place overall in race one and amazingly, bringing the machine home in second place in the Privateer's class whereby he holds second in the standings.

Another physiotherapy and massage session between races enabled Dennis to take his place on the grid for another gruelling 22 lap race in the hot and humid conditions and once again he responded by scoring yet another podium finish, this time in third place in class despite his 14th overall.

"I'd like to apologise to the crowd for not winning as I'd promised to be up there and challenging but after the happenings of last week, I should count myself lucky that I was able to race at all. I can't move my neck and I was getting buffeted by the wind as I couldn't get behind the screen and it was just a case of hanging on. Another couple of weeks and I should be in a lot better shape at Cadwell" said Dennis who saw the gap between himself and championship leader James Ellison extend to 53 points courtesy of the Cumbrian rider's double win.

Round 11 of the series takes place at Cadwell Park on August Bank Holiday Monday

THINK! Superbike Championship Cup Standings (after Round 9)
1, James Ellison (Yamaha) 383 pts
2, Dennis Hobbs (Hobbs Racing Suzuki) 330 pts
3, Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) 297pts
4, James Buckingham (Suzuki)) 262pts
5, Sam Corke (Suzuki) 208pts
6, Chris Martin (Suzuki) 148pts

-hr-