YATE motor cycling ace Luke Hedger is looking for a new team to ride for after splitting with his Gearlink side last weekend.

Hedger has had a frustrating British Supersport Championship season so far due to technical issues with his bike and felt he could not continue with Gearlink.

He said: “Unfortunately after not having much luck to the start of my racing season with a lot of technical problems, Gearlink and I have decided to part ways.

“It's gutting to be in this situation without a ride half way through the season, but steps had to be made in order to keep my racing career going.

“I'm in the position now where I'm going to be looking for a ride so that I can hopefully finish off what I set out to do.

“I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors: SRS and Swindon Karting who have stuck by me through this difficult time and from the start to the year.

“Also thank you to my main mechanic Andy for all of his hard work throughout this year, and also a massive thank you to my mum, dad and girlfriend who have always been there for me.”

Hedger’s last race weekend with Gearlink was round five of the MCE British Superbikes descended on the long windy Snetterton 300 Circuit right in the heart of Norfolk where it is always sunny for the race weekend.

But this was not to be this weekend as the rain came down at some point every day the cross winds were awful and the sun was rare. But that was not going to stop the young rider from Yate, who takes part in the Dickies British Supersport Championship.

This time last year it was not only a heatwave but Hedger picked up a podium finish but that was not quite the case this time as they were hindered with a number of mechanical problems.

Hedger went out onto a damp track to start the Friday off but he still hit hard and within minutes set an early fast lap placing him in provisional pole position.

After ten laps he laid in sixth position after the top six swapped positions multiple times all within a few hundredths of a second of each other.

In order to improve on his result the Gearlink Kawasaki Team made changes to the bike but after only six laps, he crashed out due to another rider depositing oil on the track so testing was to be short lived and you can’t make changes if you cannot test them.

Luck was running out for the 20-year-old, so he focused and got his mind set for Saturday’s Sprint Race but again this was to be short lived. Starting in 13th was to be unlucky for Hedger as he didn’t even get one lap in before being scooped up by the rider behind him as they all tumbled down like skittles.

Thankfully no one was badly injured but the crowd waited with bated breath as Luke was down for a good minute, holding his leg before being stretched off. Hedger said: “I cleared my mind of worry after not being able to test out the changes made to the bike in free practice.

“I went into the race with confidence but going into the third corner it all went black, the next thing I knew I could feel a pain in my leg and that worry had come rushing back again as the medics stretchered me off.”

Sunday came around and with the feature race looming. Hedger was unsure if the medical centre would pass him to race as its safety first but he passed ok and was told to take it easy. He was sore and bruised and had pulled the muscles in his thigh but this was not going to deter him one bit as he went out and did 4 laps for 10 minute warm up session in the morning.

Being the third last race of the day he had time to rest before the 15 lap race. The only thing left to decide was is it to be wet tyres or dry ones but fortunately it stayed dry as they all swarmed out of the pit lane around the 3 mile challenging track.

Starting in 19th he lent over the bike with his head up and his eyes wide open, and the lights were out.

It was an exciting but challenging race and he gave it everything he had pulling the bike around and twisting and turning from side to side. After 15 laps he brought it home in 11th position gaining 8 places.

Tired and exhausted, he was still in high spirits already thinking about the next round at Thruxton in just under a weeks’ time.

However, if he makes it there, he will not be riding for Gearlink there after they parted company.