AINSWORTH bike ace Ben Grindrod has continued to power his way towards the MRA Junior Stocksport 600 Championship after a stunning display at Oulton Park.

The 20-year-old stormed home in second place — first junior — after qualifying second on the grid but suffering a poor start.

He was overhauled by a string of other racers while pole-sitter Max Hunt on his Yamaha R6 blazed away.

“I was really pumped and ready for the race,” said Grindrod. “Starting on the front row of the grid for the first time this season was a huge positive.

“But I got the worst start I’ve had for a long time, with a front wheel going airbourne.

“I headed down to the first corner in sixth place, which was not the start I had hoped for.”

Grindrod’s first few laps were hectic with Hunt at the front pulling clear.

But Grindrod refused to give up and began to pick off the riders in front of him.

He continued: “I set about some hard riding just trying to bang in fast lap after fast lap to try to bridge the gap, but with Hunt and myself doing similar times the gap remained constant.

“I pulled a couple of seconds on the battle for third to come home a comfortable second. I was made up with my best finish of the season and extended my points lead at the top of the junior championship.”

Grindrod was hoping to go one better and win the second race and although he got a better start, slotting into second on the first lap behind Hunt again, he was passed and dropped to third.

The three leaders pulled out a gap on the rest of the 30-man field and had a fine battle until the red flag came out as a result of a bad crash, with Grindrod finishing third and second junior.

After taking 45 points from a possible 50 in the junior class Grindrod was pleased with his weekend’s work in front of an entourage of fans who had travelled to Cheshire.

He also moved up to fourth in the main MRO championship with only a handful of points between him and the main leader.