FIM Superstock 2006 Beowulf Racing Nick Henderson

Riding in the fourth round of the 2006 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Beowulf Racing’s Nick Henderson (Suzuki) finished in 19th place at Misano today. Henderson battled with Belgian Olivier Depoorter (Yamaha) for much of the race before being knocked back a further place by Mattia Angeloni (Yamaha) towards the end. At the head of the field, Allessandro Polita (Suzuki) returned to winning ways taking his third victory from four races, crossing the line with a six-second gap over second-placed Ayrton Badovini (MV Augusta).

Following an early crash in yesterday’s timed session Henderson pulled out a superhuman effort to qualify in 24th place riding a machine with a smashed front fairing and virtually no back brake. Consequently, no-one knew quite what to expect from Nick today. Would the experience have boosted the Australian’s confidence or was it too much to expect a repeat performance from the 22-year-old today?

Henderson has made lightning starts to all of his races so far this season. Sadly, that proved not to be the case today with Nick dropping back to 29th place by the end of the first lap. Making up ground and getting past riders Gianluca Rapicavoli (MV Augusta) and Mauro Belliero (Honda), Henderson quickly picked up Depoorter as his next target. For the following laps the gap between the two stretched and closed but despite his best efforts the former Australian champion couldn’t get ahead. On the tenth lap, disaster struck with Henderson slipping back four seconds behind his rival. Nick immediately set about reeling the Belgian back in but Angeloni had been stalking both riders from behind for several laps and sensed he could take a scalp before the end of the race. On the penultimate lap, the Italian made his move, slipped past Henderson and pulled a slight gap by the time both men arrived at the chequered flag at the end of the fifteenth and final lap.

Henderson’s 19th place represents his second-best result of the season and is a better finish than his past two races. No doubt the Shepton Mallet-based team will be looking for a further improvement when the championship regroups at Brno in the Czech Republic in four weeks time.

FIM SUPERSTOCK 1000 CUP, RD 4 MISANO
Race result – 15 laps

1. Allessandro Polita (Ita) Suzuki 24:48.301
2. Ayrton Badovini (Ita) MV Augusta +00:06.602
3. Luca Scassa (Ita) MV Augusta +00:09.519
19. Nick Henderson (Aus) Suzuki +00:57.189