James Ellison and Glen Richards team up to finish second on the Phase One Yamaha during the Qatar Eight Hours at Losail
British Superbike riders James Ellison and Glen Richards ended their 2009 season with a flourish by clinching a podium finish in the Qatar Eight Hour endurance race.
The pair, together with Pedro Vallcaneras, teamed up to ride a Phase One Yamaha around the Losail circuit, but would miss out on victory behind the Yamaha Austria Racing Team of Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani.
Despite this, Ellison enjoyed the experience, even if he admits that, having done four hours on the bike, it was a tiring race.
"I really enjoyed the race,” he told the
BSB website. “It was funny at the start because we were all lined up on the other side of the track ready to run for the bike and I was looking in the wrong direction waiting for the lights to go, as that's what usually happens.
“I just happened to look at the pit wall for a second and noticed everyone was shouting, and a few were laughing, telling me to look the other way so I did! I then noticed a guy with a flag in the middle of the track and just as I looked he dropped it and I just ran for it!
"Luckily I got into turn one in third, then after two laps took the lead and then an hour later I pulled into the pits and handed the bike over to Glen. The race was awesome and I really enjoyed riding for the Phase One team again. It was also great riding with Glen and Pedro.
“It was a long race as I did four out of the eight hours and I have some monster blisters on the bottom of my feet because of the heat to show for it! I am a bit tired but have had really good fun this weekend."
