TYSERS - MotorcycleRaceParts

BSB Cadwell Park | 2022

Weekend of Challenges For Tunstall

With a weekend as up and down as the Cadwell Park layout, Ducati Cup racer Tom Tunstall scored another 2nd place in race one before changing conditions saw him miss the podium for the first time this year. With his first ride on the Ducati in the wet in race two yielding a 6th place.

Returning after a month’s break. The Ducati Trioptions Cup joined the British Superbikes for the ever popular Cadwell Park round over the weekend.

Having not raced the unique Lincolnshire circuit in the past four years and like most circuits this season, the first time aboard the 955 V2 Ducati, it was another learning weekend ahead.

Practice and qualifying were hampered by an intermittent electrical issue, which didn’t help Tunstall get a rhythm. But still posted an impressive time to take 2nd on the grid 0.19 behind David Shoubridge.

The first of the weekend’s races saw Tunstall slot into third place off the line behind South African champion Blaze Baker.

With Shoubridge getting away and feeling to be held up. He found a way past Baker into the Hairpin on lap four.

Straight away the MotorcycleRaceParts / TYSERS rider increased his pace by over a second a lap! Going faster lap on lap. He equalled his qualifying pace on lap nine and had pulled away to a clear 2nd place finish.

Shortly before the riders were called to the grid for Monday’s race, a light rain shower caused a very last minute swap to wet tyres.

Starting on a damp but drying track, it was Tunstall’s first time in these conditions and went with wet tyres and dry suspension. Completing the first lap in 4th he struggled for grip and slipped back to 6th on lap 4.

He passed Baker around the outside into the Gooseneck to retake 5th but another moment onto the back straight dropped him to sixth where he took the flag a couple of seconds behind 3rd.

Tunstall explained:
“Its been a challenging weekend, we knew Cadwell Park would be!

The electrical issue was annoying but I was pretty happy with the times when I got clear in Race One which was at last year’s pace. But fair play to Shoey he’s stepped things up this year and his pace was impressive. When someone’s under the lap record you have to get away with them to have any chance.

Race two I pretty much did the best with what I had underneath me.

The rear suspension especially was too high and hard. With hardly any weight transfer the rear was just skimming the surface and not pushing the tyre into the track.

So whilst I’m disappointed to miss another podium we know why and can do something about that. Plus it was our first stab at it. All part of learning about the bike at our fifth event on it.

It’s no secret that it’s not my strongest track. But we did a good job as a team and rolled with the punches well this weekend – we just seemed to get plenty of them!”

Round Six of 2022 is held at Snetterton in Norfolk in just under two weeks time [September 9th-11th]