A BIKE failure whilst leading robbed Rugby’s Mark Cossar of victory at Leicester in the first round of the 2018 British Sidecar Speedway Championship.
With his passenger Carl Blyth, Cossar also had to pull out of his second ride due to mechanical problems.
However, three exciting heat victories, including the fastest race time of an excellent night’s racing, secured a place in the grand final in front of a large and appreciative sun-drenched Leicester crowd.
Awarded third spot overall, Cossar and Blyth’s place on the podium still keeps the reigning British champions very much in contention with three rounds to go.
“We’d had plenty of issues during practice the evening before so we were up against the clock to actually be ready for our first heat,” said Cossar.
“Being forced to pull out when leading the final was hard to take, but all things considered, third place overall gives us plenty of points to move forward with in the championship.”
Rugby’s Gaz Williams was involved in plenty of drama as passenger to Birmingham’s Matt Fumarola.
The pair suffered a puncture when well placed, and later an exclusion for running on to the infield.
