Jones hailed after 'best race yet'

6:05pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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CRAIG Jones scored a superb sixth place in Sunday's Supersport World Championship fifth round.

The Northwich ace, riding for Parkalgar Honda, broke his hand during free practice but gritted his teeth to claim precious points in the race for the title.

"That was one of the best rides of his career," said team boss Simon Buckmaster.

"To finish a fraction away from fourth and in sixth place is simply mega, he has shown real determination and that is the sort of character that marks him out as a race winner in the future."

The 23-year-old fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left hand when he crashed in Saturday's free practice session at Monza but a mix of top class medical attention from the mobile clinic and sheer determination saw him qualify and start the race.

Yamaha's Fabien Foret finished first.

"I gave it my best effort," said Jones afterwards.

"It wasn't so much the pain that gave me a problem in the race, but rather the lack of feel from my hand on the bars.

The sixth round is at Germany's Nurburgring next month.

Before then Parkalgar Honda team will make a wildcard appearance at the fourth round of the British Supersport Championship at Donington Park on Sunday, May 26.