Nutt grabs first win of the season to move up to third in Championship

Marty Nutt grabbed his first win of the 2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup season with a faultless, start to finish victory at Oulton Park on Sunday.
Marty Nutt enjoyed an excellent meeting at Oulton Park. Picture by Glynne LewisMarty Nutt enjoyed an excellent meeting at Oulton Park. Picture by Glynne Lewis
Marty Nutt enjoyed an excellent meeting at Oulton Park. Picture by Glynne Lewis

Having taken fourth place in the race held the previous day he strengthened his hold on third place in the Championship standings.

Having taken sixth in qualifying, a strong performance in Saturday’s warm-up session put Marty in confident mood for Saturday’s 10-lap race and a solid start saw him move up to fifth at the completion of the opening lap.

This became fourth on lap although two laps later he was back down to fifth as Rob Guiver overhauled him going into Old Hall Corner.

There was still only 1.3s covering the top five but Guiver’s engine expired on the eighth lap bringing the race to an early end and with Marty given fourth place.

With the fastest lap of the race, Marty was able to start Sunday’s encounter from pole position although damp conditions meant the race was cut to eight laps and a very different proposition.

However, the reigning Champion made a perfect start to grab the holeshot and was never headed despite the extremely tricky track surface which was both wet and dry.

Consistently setting fastest laps though, Marty took a brilliant win with his fourth podium of the season moving him onto 153 points with three rounds remaining.

Speaking afterwards Nutt was obviously in a buoyant mood.

“Starting from pole position on Sunday was just the boost I needed and I made the most of it, taking the holeshot and holding on for my first win of the year,” said the delighted Coleraine man.

“It’s brilliant to do it at last and I just tried to be as consistent as I could although it was tricky leading from the front as some parts of the track were damp and greasy whilst others were completely wet.

“Conditions were improving all the time and although the rain’s a great leveller, you’ve still got to ride and race well so I’m delighted to have taken the win.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t have had a real good go in Saturday’s race but a bad qualifying session meant it was always going to be hard work.

“The settings we tried took us in the wrong direction but we went the right way in morning warm-up and I was really up for the race going into it.

“It was going well until I made a mistake coming out of Lodge corner, selecting the wrong gear, and that allowed Rob to get back by me.

“I was right behind him when his engine blew and I was covered in oil so there was little option other than to red flag the race.

“Overall though, it’s been a good weekend and we’re in a good place right now so roll on the next round,” added Nutt as he prepares for the next race meeting later this month.

The sixth round of the series takes place at Cadwell Park on Bank Holiday weekend, August 23-25.

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