Ellison: It's mega to be behind my mate (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Ellison: It's mega to be behind my mate

12:43pm Friday 5th June 2009 in

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KENDAL’S James Ellison hailed the contribution of Airwaves Yamaha team-mate Leon Camier after the duo claimed a pair of one-two finishes at round four of the ViSK British Superbikes at Thruxton.

Just six days ago at Donington Park, Ellison was celebrating his first-ever British Superbike success but at Thruxton it was a different story as the 28-year-old twice finished runner-up behind runaway championship leader Camier.

Ellison, who is on 129 points in the championship standings, trails Camier by 38 points and will be keeping his fingers for a role reversal at Snetterton in three weeks time.

Despite twice missing out to Camier at Thruxton – Ellison is convinced the pair’s friendship on and off the track is propelling him to greater heights.

“It’s absolutely mega to be on the podium and really good for Leon and I to have another one-two finish,” said Ellison.

“Donington was fantastic and I would obviously like to be on the top step but Leon is riding very well.

“We are starting to forge a great partnership though at the minute which is really good for me and the team.

“Leon has been absolutely fantastic to me and he was taking me around the track and showing me the line that I should be riding which was a great help.

“That’s absolutely unheard of for a team-mate to help you out that much.

“When I arrived at the track, Leon just got straight into it and was a lot quicker. The fact that I caught him up speed-wise was purely down to his help.”

Ellison admitted the Airways Yamaha garage had made changes to his bike ahead of race two after the Kendal-based rider complained of tyre problems.

But for the second time at Thruxton, Ellison, who was forced to fight off a late challenge from Josh Brookes, was forced to watch Camier run away with the race win despite the improved handling on his Yamaha.

“We made a couple of changes before race two to get more grip out of the tyres but I think they actually made it worse because I was all over the place,” said Ellison. “I was waiting for a mistake from Leon but it never came.

“I saw the board and I knew someone was coming back at me pretty quickly but I didn’t dare turn around and see who it was.

“It went from two seconds to one and then none. Josh Brookes was putting a lot of pressure on but I was trying to keep him behind me which I just managed to.”

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 Snetterton on Sunday, June 21, and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com