Wilson powers back following a slow start

The engine stalled as the race came under orders and Ben was last of 43 riders to get away - but rode like the wind to finish in a very respectable seventh place to pick up nine championship points.

Inclement weather conditions affected free practice and qualifying, but the 34-year-old rider from Kirton was able to push on to secure sixth place for a second row start to Sunday’s 11-lap encounter.

His race was nearly over before it began as the bike stalled on the start line as the riders came under orders.

But luckily Wilson was able to get it fired up and joined the race from dead last in 43rd place.

He is nothing if not determined and proved that by ploughing through the back markers to 26th at the end of the first lap.

By lap five he was into the top 10 in ninth position.

But he was too far back from the group ahead who had a 10-second advantage and although he maintained his speed and brought the gap down to less than four seconds he had to be satisfied with seventh place at the chequered flag.

“The wheel spun up on the line and then the traction control kicked in and it stalled,” Wilson said.

“But we got going again although I was 43rd and last rounding the first corner.

“I got through the back markers unscathed and then picked off the midfielders a few at a time until I reached seventh.

“The gap was just too big to get any further up the field so I settled for seventh.

“Another couple of laps and I would have reached the fifth and sixth place riders but in the circumstances I am happy with seventh from the back of the grid.”

The next round is at Oulton Park in Cheshire from April 30-May 2.