BOOTH-AMOS TAKES PORTIMÃO POINTS FOR PTR TRIUMPH FACTORY RACING
The PTR Triumph Factory Racing team returned to FIM Supersport World Championship action this weekend. Tom Booth-Amos secured two points-paying positions at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão.
Kicking off the weekend’s action on Friday, the PTR Triumph Factory Racing Team began their work around the undulating 4.5km Portuguese circuit. This work concluded with Booth-Amos inside the top ten during practice.
With Superpole around the corner, the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS’ made their way out to the circuit. However, a red flag and cancelled lap times held them back from showing their true potential. As a result, Booth-Amos was 11th and teammate Oli Bayliss was 18th for the opening race of the weekend.
The first Supersport World Championship race of the weekend got underway under the blazing Portuguese sun. Booth-Amos fired himself inside the top ten. Running the opening half of the race in ninth, the British rider was locked in battle to the flag. In the end, he crossed the line in 12th, securing vital points in Portimão. Meanwhile, Bayliss’ opening race of the weekend ended in retirement. This came despite a strong start to the 17-lap race.
Starting today’s second race from 12th, Booth-Amos launched his Triumph Street Triple 765 RS towards the top ten. There, he remained for the opening laps. Running on his own in 11th, a mistake at turn five saw the British rider rejoin the group. For this, he was then given a long lap penalty for an ‘unsafe rejoin’. After rejoining from his long lap penalty and losing one position, Booth-Amos pushed on. He then crossed the line to eventually take 12th, securing important championship points.
The PTR Triumph Factory Racing team are set to return to action at round three of the FIM Supersport World Championship in Assen on 17-19 March.
Tom Booth-Amos – PTR Triumph Factory Racing:
“Sadly we’re not where we wanted to be this weekend, or where we know we can be. We’ve struggled a lot with set-up and not feeling as comfortable as I need to be on the bike. However, we’ve had two race finishes and managed to get some points, but we need to have a look, understand a few things and come back stronger at Assen in a few weeks time.”
Oli Bayliss – PTR Triumph Factory Racing:
“It’s been a difficult one here in Portimão, we started a little on the back foot and we’ve just not been able to make much progress as the weekend has gone on. Unfortunately I was forced to retire from both races, so we’ve come away with no points and it’s really not been our weekend. We now need to move forward now to Assen and see if we can make progress there.”