9:10am Friday 17th April 2009
By Gazette Sports
KENDAL’S James Ellison believes there’s plenty of room for improvement after a workmanlike rather than spectacular start to his 2009 British Superbike campaign, insisting he’s yet to get out of first gear.
The 28-year-old, who finished fifth and seventh at Brands Hatch, was rewarded for a superb 2008 season with Hydrex Honda with a place in the star-studded Airwaves Yamaha team, alongside Leon Camier.
Ellison (pictured in action above) has big shoes to fill this season at the manufacturers’ champions, as he replaces 2008 championship winner Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne who has graduated to the World Superbike circuit.
And while the former Moto GP rider insists his back is broad enough to bear the weight of expectation, Ellison revealed he cannot continue to find himself off the podium for too long.
“I’m just happy to be back out there to be honest,” said Ellison, who finished the championship on seventh place last year.
“Quietly in the last couple of weeks there has been a lot of pressure put on the Airwaves Yamaha team because of the success of last year.
“They have always been linked with very successful riders so there has been a lot of expectation that we would go out there and do the business.
“Once the season kicks off and the bike is completely ready, they will want wins every weekend and that’s fine and that’s understandable.
“But right now they are taking the pressure off us a little bit and we are just going out there and enjoying it. It’s just about keeping it upright and getting some points on the board.”
Ellison was edged out in race one by Camier, who came fourth, but at the second time of asking, his 22- year-old team-mate showed his true colours and topped the podium.
And while Ellison is already beginning to feel the strain, he remains adamant it is only a matter of time before he is topping the pile.
“When we finished the first race the team was absolutely delighted,” he added.
“It has been a good start and gives me a lot of confidence because we have been riding up the front with the rest of the guys just with what we have got this week.
“The bike has got a lot more to give and there is a lot of power ahead - we’ve just taken the first step.
“We only really started it up properly on Wednesday, so I’m really pleased to be up there already, knowing how much left there is to come.”
■ British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next race Oulton Park on Monday, May 4, and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
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