Staines motorcycle racer Philip Atkinson started the National Triumph Triple Challenge Michelin Cup in scintillating form.

With no pre-season testing, Atkinson left the first round of the championship, held at Oulton Park Circuit in Cheshire, in second place.

Suffering major handling problems in practice on Friday morning, Atkinson and his team worked extremely hard improving the chassis set up, helping him qualify 3rd on the grid after the 2 qualifying sessions.

Smashing last years lap record in the process, proving this years Championship is going to be highly competitive, with the top five riders lapping quicker than the quickest riders in the MRO Super sport 600 Class which is recognised to be one of the most competitive Championships in the UK.

Atkinson’s pace in the two races on Saturday was encouraging, finishing the first race in 3rd place in the first race and 2nd in the second race with the fastest lap of the race in the second.

Atkinson says: “We’re leaving Oulton in really confident mood, 2nd in the championship and managing to stay with Championship leader Jimmy Dye who has raced and won the Championship in 2007 and has raced at National Level last year and already raced this season in other championships, we arrived here having only ridden the bike once at Mallory park.

"We are still have handling issues but the team have made massive progress this weekend and we have a few things to try out at Pembrey in Wales for the second round of the Championship on the 1st and 2nd of May.

"If we can sort out the issues we have with the bike I think we really can win the Championship and I would like to say a massive thank you to my personal sponsors Shark Helmets, Mike Pearce and Sons and Wiz, without whom we could not race, and a big thank you to the marshals and Organisers of the events for their time and effort.

"If anybody would like information on how they can get involved in the sport, with commercial and public opportunities, there are still some great opportunities for branding either over the full season or for single events at very competitive prices.

"Ideal for a corporate weekend and can include hospitality as required - get in touch for more details of some very attractive sponsorship packages please contact Dale Thomson at Hitecmoto@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07897457973.”