Craig Jones misses out on World Supersport podium

Craig Jones fell victim to the soaking Silverstone conditions after they had promised to bring him his first podium finish of the season. The Rêve Ekerold Honda rider carved through the field from his starting position of 13th on the grid, running as high as third before crashing out.

It was a disappointing end to a bittersweet weekend, in which Jones proved he can mix it with the best Supersport has to offer but left the Northamptonshire track with nothing to show for his efforts.

After the high-speed circuit of Monza, Silverstone’s sweeping curves were expected to give Jones the chance to showcase his talent, and the race-day rain proved a leveller in more ways than one. Friday’s qualifying session brought an encouraging fifth place, but an unscheduled off-track excursion meant the second bike had to be used on Saturday. It showed, as Jones struggled to assert himself over the course of a full lap.

Despite individual sector times to compare with the very quickest, a lack of consistency meant 13th on the grid. Nevertheless, Jones had high hopes for Sunday, especially with the cold, windy and rainy weather conditions that were welcomed more by the Rêve Ekerold team than the shivering spectators.

The first lap brought immediate dividends, as the field emerged from a cloud of spray with both the front-running Hannspree Hondas already out of the race and Jones in ninth. He continued his remarkable rise over the next three laps, as the soaking track surface meant engine power took a back seat to pure riding ability.

While his rivals floundered in the wet, Jones employed his trademark flamboyant style to seize third, with just Anthony West and Broc Parkes between him and the race lead. He then set about fending off the attentions of Davide Giugliano and Pere Riba in heart-stopping fashion as television commentator Jack Burnicle breathlessly implored him just to “stay on the bike!” Remaining vertical was easier said than done in the downpour, however, and after several laps of dicing with the Kawasaki duo, hopes of a miraculous top-three finish ended abruptly in the gravel.

Giugliano and Riba were not long in following the 22-year-old out of the race as just nine men finished on the same lap as race winner West. But it was of little consolation for Jones, who expressed his regret at missing the chance to treat his home fans to a memorable result.