AINSWORTH motorcycle rider Ben Grindrod has made a promising return to the British Superbike paddock after being lured back to the track following four years away from the sport.

A chance meeting between the ex-Elton High School pupil and his former financial backer led to a new sponsorship deal.

And while things have not gone completely to plan since his return in the Ducati TriOptions Cup, the 28-year-old showed he still has what it takes when earning two top-10 finishes in the latest round at Oulton Park.

“I last raced in 2013, in Superstock 1000, and had done nothing since then, I’d just been sitting on the couch watching the racing on TV,” said Grindrod.

“I stopped due to the lack of funding. The biggest struggle was to get quality time on the bike, which made it difficult as we had to do the majority of our testing while racing – not the ideal scenario.

“But I had a little catch-up last year with my original sponsor, when we bumped into each other while watching the Moto GP in Jerez. We cooked up a plan that, if we were going to get back in, we should do it the most cost-effective way.

“And, after being out of the game for three years, racing in the Ducati Cup seemed like the best option.”

Grindrod’s backer, who is managing director at Manchester firm Hollins Strategic Land, provided the funds for a bike and some track time in Spain and it went from there.

“I literally had not ridden a motorbike for three years,” said Grindrod.

“We went out to Spain in December last year with a road bike.

“We had a really good four days, and when we came back got it converted into a race model, but we had a nightmare first meeting at Donington.

“Needless to say, I was a bit rusty and it was a tricky start. I crashed in the first race and in the second race the gearbox went.

“When we investigated further it became clear the gearbox problem caused the crash.

“We ended up having to sit out the next round at Brands Hatch while we had the problem fixed.

“Every gear in the gearbox needed replacing and we had to have the engine stripped down and rebuilt.

“The bike was sent out to the Ducati garage in Coventry and arrived back in time for Oulton Park, where we had a really positive weekend.

“Things really started to take shape. With the bike improving all the time I started to pull in riders in front of me and moved up the grid. We finished seventh in the first race and eighth in the second, so things are looking good.

“We now have a bit of a break before Snetterton in June so I am going to fit in a holiday in Majorca, where I can do a bit of running and cycling in the sun, work on my fitness and come back fully refreshed.”

Grindrod admits his horizons have shifted since taking time out of the sport.

He always had a plan B, taking A levels at Holy Cross College before studying financial management at Leeds Metropolitan University, and now works for Barclays Bank in their regional headquarters in Knutsford.

But while he once dreamed of following a full-time career in sport, now he is just loving life in the fast lane.

“Taking a few years out has allowed me the time to reflect and think about it,” said Grindrod, who grew up on the track, following his dad Dave around the country as a racer for Caterham in touring cars.

“I basically had a normal life and missed the track.

“There was a time when I was pushing to make a career of it. I am nearly 29 now and know any chance of making it to the top has gone, but I believe at this level my main aim for the season should be to get on the podium.

“Long-term, we are thinking about doing another year at Ducati then going back up to Superstock.”