Ballygowan's Michael Pearson made his first trip to the Athea Road Races in Co-Limerick on Sunday, with the former Irish Superbike Champion more than pleased with his outing on the fast National Road Race circuit, a circuit, that Michael said he enjoyed very much.
Two top seven finishes in the Superbike races, with fifth in the Open Senior being his best result of the weekend, has put Pearson in good mood for his first visit to the Skerries road races next weekend.
 
Michael Pearson: "I have enjoyed the weekend alot, and I will be back again next year.  Its just a pity that we did not get a full dry days racing, as the circuit was quite wet in places, which meant we never really got the full benefit of what was a great weekend.   I was very surprised at just how fast the place is, and it was great to see so many people around the circuit....they really love their racing down here.   To get into the top five or six in the big bike races was very pleasing, and I did have a few wee problems with the 600  that Roy Hanna lent me over the weekend, but those are very minor problems which we can sorted out before Skerries.  All in all, its been a great experience".
 
Willis Marshall: (Manager)  "very impressed with Michaels results.  Firstly I would like to thank Roy Hanna for pulling us out of a hole by lending us Mark's 600 Yamaha.   I think it is important that Michael tries to get as much track time as he can on the Irish Roads, and having the 600 along with the R1 Yamaha, gave him that bit extra in practise.    Its off to the Skerries for Michaels debut there, so hopefully it will be as good as weekend as the one that Michael has had in Athea".
 
Results:
Supersport 600
1st Ryan Farquhar - 2nd Michael Dunlop - 3rd Keith Amor - 4th John Burrows - 5th Victor Gilmore - 15th Michael Pearson
 
Open Senior:
1st Keith Amor - 2nd Ryan Farquhar - 3rd Michael Dunlop - 4th John Burrows - 5th William Dunlop - 6th Michael Pearson
 
Grand Final:
1st Ryan Farquhar - 2nd Keith Amor - 3rd Michael Dunlop - 4th John Burrows - 5th Michael Pearson.
 
Pics:  Michael Pearson during Sundays Athea Road Race
 
Picture by Alan Armstrong