9:20am Friday 30th May 2008
HE may well have exceeded many expectations by reaching the final six of the British Final, but James Wright was still wondering what might have been at Blunsdon last night.
Third place in the meeting proper, a semi-final place and a spot in next year's Grand Prix qualifying rounds represented a commendable night's work for the Stockport-born youngster.
Yet it was a clearly disappointed Wright who emerged to reflect on his efforts in the Abbey Stadium pits afterwards, as Eastbourne's Scott Nicholls carried off the British prize for the fifth time in seven years with victory in the final.
The sizeable carrot of a wildcard to next month's British Grand Prix was snatched away from the 21-year-old when he trailed in last in the run-off and the rider clearly felt it was one that got away.
"I was delighted with what I did in the meeting, yet I came so close, but so far and didn't get any reward,'' said the frustrated Robins' ace.
"I've definitely qualified for the GP qualifying rounds next year so that's a positive.
"But I missed out even on the reserves (for the Grand Prix in Cardiff) so that is disappointing.
"I had the pick (of gates) in the semi and everyone was telling me to go for the outside, but it was all the same whatever gate I went off, I think it was going to be hard.
"Tai (Woffinden) got a better start than me and that was that really.
"It was all over after the first bend because everyone was going so quickly.'' After a period of reflection, Wright will surely look back with satisfaction at his performance, which earned the admiration of the home contingent in a large Abbey Stadium crowd.
Up against Nicholls and fellow GP regular Chris Harris in his opening race, the Swindon man understandably found it tough going and failed to register.
Thereafter though, he didn't look back, three heat wins carrying through to the latter stages.
"I started off with a last, but I managed to keep my confidence up through the meeting so that was one plus,'' he added.
"But it was about getting over that last hurdle. It was all there and I just missed out.
"I definitely did myself proud tonight with what I did, but it is a bit disappointing.
"I just have to put it behind me now and be ready for next time.'' Nicholls, meanwhile, clinched a comfortable success in the final, despite being outpointed by Harris over the qualifying heats.
The Eastbourne man got the better of his former Coventry teammate in the opening race, but an engine failure in his third race halted his otherwise serene progress.
Indeed a lightning-quick Harris looked the better bet to retain the title he won last year, winning his other four heats with ease.
Those two qualified straight into the final after the 20 heats, while Wright, Rye House tyro Tai Woffinden, Coventry's Simon Stead and Eastbourne's Edward Kennett contested the semi-final run-off.
Kennett and Woffinden emerged and also performed well in the final, relegating Harris off the podium as Kennett claimed the wildcard for Cardiff.
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