| New sponsor saves Cann's season |
| Written by Bath Chronicle | |
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Swindon furniture manufacturer PNG Woodworking Ltd have stepped in to save local British motorcycling champion Dominic Cann, following the surprise departure of a major sponsor just three weeks into the season.The Keynsham-based Louigi Moto squad found themselves minus one bike and unable to continue the defence of their title after a the sponsor's withdrawal. "None of us could believe what was happening," said Cann. "Out of the blue, we found ourselves a bike down. "We had no real options and it was looking like the team would have to sit out the rest of the season." However, a visit to the workshops by fellow Ducati enthusiast and Swindon businessman Paul Gilpin looks to have saved the team from certain disaster. Gilpin said: "I'm a customer at Louigi Moto and was passing by when I thought I'd pop in to say hello. "The guys were looking a bit sorry for themselves, to be perfectly honest, and when they explained the news I could soon see why. "I know how much effort they all put in down there and as I follow the progress of the race team closely, I'd hate to see their talents go to waste." The next issue facing the team was the lack of time available to build a new machine with just two weeks before the next race meeting. They were subsequently offered a bike by fellow Ducati racer Richard Thirkettle. Cann said: "Richard's bike is very good, but it was set up completely different to how we run our bikes normally. "It took three of us six hours to get the bike to our spec and I felt much more comfortable on it after that." The second round of the Ducati Championship was held last weekend at Mallory Park in Leicestershire. And the event got off to a good start, with Cann claiming his ninth consecutive front-row start - a new championship record. The first race one did not go according to plan, however, as a 10p screw that held the exhaust silencer had worked loose on the sixth lap, leaving the exhaust dangling dangerously close to the rear wheel. Cann was black-flagged and forced to retire from third place. In race two, Cann rode to a solid third-place finish behind Kyle Hinton and Geoff Spencer. Hinton now leads the series with 135 points, with Cann back in fifth place with 78 points. |
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