April 2015 Winner – Josh Elliot
When we spoke to Josh Elliott last week to award him the Fermanagh Herald Sports Person of the Month Award for April he was preparing his Morello Racing Kawasaki for the Snetteron 300, the fourth round of the British Superbike Superstock 1000 championships.
Elliott received the April award after a searing start to the British Superbike season which saw him land second place in the opening round at Donnington Park, before claiming his maiden win at the Brands Hatch Indy.
Over the weekend Elliott further cemented his credentials with his second win of the campaign, clocking the fastest lap and edging home at Snetterton 0.075 of a second ahead of Alastair Seeley with main championship rival Hudson Kennaugh 11 seconds back in third.
When we caught up with Elliott he was bathing in the happy afterglow of a job well done. “We knew we were going to be up against it around Snetterton because the BMW is so suited to that track [places two to four went to BMW].
We knew it was going to be difficult to win, but we worked hard all week trying to find a set up that would make us competitive in the race,” said Elliott. “I was fortunate I was able to sit behind Alastair Seeley all race. Even though he was pulling quite a distance on the straights.
I was working hard through the infield where there were plenty of corners and I was making a lot of time up and getting back on to his back wheel. “I was considerably faster through the last sector than him and I knew that would be only place I could make a winning pass.
I lined him up going round the second last turn into the last turn. I had to block him and do it in such a way that he couldn’t cut back in underneath me. Fortunately I pulled it off and he messed up his drive for the line. I couldn’t really believe it because I was expecting him to come past, but when I didn’t I knew I’d executed the pass perfectly.
“It was a corner where I don’t think he was expecting me to pass because I hadn’t passed him there all race. I caught him by surprise and pulling off the pass so well threw him a bit. Each race this year I’ve been learning more and more about his riding style.
At Oulton Park I wasn’t able to make my last lap move because it was red flagged, so it was nice to get an opportunity to make my move on the last corner,” said the Fermanagh rider. That win puts Elliott on 110 points for the season, with Hudson Kennaugh lying in second on 98 points.
Elliott is secure in the belief that he can push on from this victory. “I’m definitely feeling confident,” said Elliott. “It was nice to give myself to give myself that 12 point gap in the championship. It’s not much, but it’s good going into the next few rounds.
I had to take full advantage of the fact my main rival, Hudson Kennaugh, struggled this weekend and I had to try and get as many points as possible and that was in the back of my mind.” This year has seen Elliott really starting to deliver on his undoubted talent.
The humble Ballinamallard man believes much of the credit for that goes to those around him, those who support his drive to be the best he can be. “A lot of it has come from learning from the experience of last year,” said Elliott. “This year I have good people around me and good support and that’s what has made the big difference.
I’m a lot more focused, my training’s better and I’ve got more belief in my own ability. That came this year and I fully believe I deserve to be up there and the results are speaking for themselves. “I’ve got the right people around me who are putting in just as much effort as I am and that’s what it takes.
It’s me on the bike, but it’s the team off the track which gives me the best tools possible to do the job. That’s been the biggest difference this year.” Next up for the Fermanagh rider is the Superstock 1000 Championship is Knockhill at the start of July.
“We know we have to be on our game and try and get as many points again as possible for the championship. It wouldn’t be one of my favourite tracks so we’re just going to have to work hard and see what happens,” said Elliott
