YATE rider Luke Hedger is hoping to wrap up the British 125GP Championship at Silverstone this weekend.

The Fireplace Warehouse (FPW) racer needs only four points from the final two rounds to clinch the title, and could clinch a double as he is just two points away from winning the Motostar Cup.

Hedger almost won it at the historic Dutch circuit of Assen on Sunday, but was overtaken by championship rival Cath Green at the final chicane.

Competing against Dutch Championship riders and Red Bull Rookies who knew the track well, Hedger finished 11th overall and sixth amongst the British contingent as the British Superbike series crossed over to continental Europe for the first time.

Starting from 11th after a qualifying time of 1:49.00 was his worst starting position of the season, but was testament to the quality of the European riders, along with his lack of track experience.

For Hedger, though, it posed the problem of remaining safe in and around the pack as they set off.

As the lights went out he got a decent start but lost a couple of places in the initial stages of the first lap, ultimately crossing the line in 15th.

Over the course of the next five laps Hedger made some solid passes to climb to 12th place.

Bradley Ray, one of the only riders that could possibly have an outside chance of taking the championship, had mechanical issues on lap four and was forced to retire from the race.

This meant he only needed to beat Green to take the Championship.

Oblivious to this Hedger made up two places on lap nine to put himself tenth.

This was a shortlived gain as by the end of the next lap Marcel ter Braake had pushed by to relegate him to 11th.

On the very next lap Hegder found himself in 12th as another continental racer, Mike Brouwers, used his track knowledge to his advantage.

On the very last lap Green was using every bit of power the RS Racing Honda could must to try and power by and keep her championship hopes alive.

As Hedger defended his position, he was held up by a back marker at the final chicane and Green was able to capitalise.

Both riders drove hard for the line from the chicane exit, but Hedger lost out by five hundredths of a second to end the race in 13th.

FPW team owner Adrian Mason said: “We have had such a great weekend in Assen.

“The bike has been superb, Luke finished the race, admittedly behind Cath, but he’s learnt so much.

“The quality of the machinery we’ve seen here this weekend has been as good as you see anywhere.

“The whole experience has been good for both Luke and the team and the 47-point lead over Cath is great with only two rounds left."