Source: Supplied.

Still on the comeback from an ankle injury, Australian Jason O’Halloran says the physically demanding nature of Cadwell Park serves as an unknown in his prediction of competitiveness at this weekend’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB).

While lodging an improved 6-6 scorecard at the previous round, O’Halloran understands that isn’t is an indicator of how his injury will hold up around the 3.5-kilometre circuit that features the infamous ‘Mountain’, where racers are commonly seen launching over the crest.

“Thruxton overall was good for us and it showed the progress since the injury, but Cadwell Park is still a bit of an unknown given how physical it is, especially with the mountain,” the Honda Racing rider explained. “I had a little spin there the other evening to test the ankle and we seemed okay, so we just need to take the weekend how it comes and see how we get on.

“The aim previously has always been podiums or wins, or at least a top five and with the Showdown getting closer, we need to do everything to score the best we can. At Thruxton we proved that I haven’t lost the speed, it was just that the injury had been making it difficult and if you look at race one I was third into the chicane and fighting with the lead group – I was pushed wide which cost me the podium.

“That shows what a massive step forward it has been since Brands Hatch just two weeks’ ago, so I am happy with the injury progress although you always want it to be faster! The team has been working really hard so we are going to be fighting back as hard as we can this weekend.”

O’Halloran sits 10th in the championship standings, 33 points outside of the top five as the Showdown looms in just two rounds’ time.