ANDOVER’S Richard Spencer-Fleet was back in action in the first round of the Ducati TriOptions in the British round of World Superbikes.

Spectators also returned, with 4,000 giving the paddock “the buzz again”.

As usual, free practice took place on Friday morning, which Richard said went well, circulating in and around personal best (PB) for the 10 laps that was completed.

The set up since last year on the bike has moved forward drastically by fitting Mupo Race Suspension CSP30 front and rear shock.

Qualifying saw the team trying a slightly softer setting after losing grip in some fast places in free practice, where they felt they could be going forward not sideways.

After eight laps, Richard came in as it “didn’t feel right” and sitting in 23rd place, he had to do something.

Richard managed to move up to 16th place with a flying lap.

He got off to a blistering start in race one. Heading to turn one, he went for the outside, and made a fair few places, before being forced wider than the track and onto the green stuff.

Having to roll off, the places made were gone in a flash.

The next few laps were about then catching the pack up. PB was smashed again and had some great battles throughout, finishing 14th and getting some points in the bag was mega start to the season, especially with the strong field of riders we have on the grid this year.

Race two saw him now start from 14th on the grid.

An issue with clutch meant he was unable to select neutral, and come the race start, the clutch was gently eased out but jumped and caused the bike to move forward.

By the time Richard looked ahead lights were out and race was go.

Not seeing any indication of a jump start in first few laps of race, he thought he would be penalised with a time penalty at the end, so had to go as fast as he could to make time and spaces up.

Come lap eight of 10 while dicing for position with Michael Tustin, my number and black flag was shown. On coming into pits he was informed he did jump start and Richard was disqualified.

Richard said: “All we can do is learn from this and move on. Gutted and frustrated but had a great race up until that point.

“We have to take the positives from the weekend and plan for our attack on the next round of BSB that we are attending which is Donington Park again in August. “