A 21-YEAR-OLD from Yate, Luke Hedger, put his Aprilia to good use over the weekend, as he joined another 30 riders in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Conditions were very unpredictable and teams were soon pushed for time on which tyres to use.

Hedger, racing with EHA Racing was looking exceedingly quick in both free practice one and two going 9th and 10th fastest after 12 and 14 laps in the dry conditions.

He followed his consistency into the qualifying stage on Saturday bringing the bike home in sixth place, going fastest on his final lap.

Hedger made a solid start to the race and was right in the middle of the front runners having a great battle with Fraser Rogers, Chrissy Rouse and Jordan Weaving.

He was absolutely tearing around the track using every muscle in his body to lean right over the bike often with both elbow and knee on the floor at over 100mph.

After the 10 minute change of tyres and refuelling Hedger looked determined to improve on his sixth place in the first race.

True to form he did exactly that and went one better coming home in fifth despite the rain dancing in the air.

Sunday’s race was very exciting to watch with Hedger having a great battle for most of the race with Championship Leader Danny Buchan, so knowing he had the pace he was loitering with intent and passed him for two laps placing him in contention for silverware.

This was not to be as his back tyre was just not gripping and after 16 laps finished in fifth place.

Speaking after the weekend Hedger said: “Overall I am very happy with my results.

“We found a good set-up very quickly and worked from there in the first two-part race on Saturday.

“In Sunday’s race we found it. I had a brilliant race."