CHARLE Nesbitt was forced to work hard to claim his 13th win of the Hel Performance Motostar Championship season, while Max Cook shone to finish 10th at Oulton Park.

For Nesbitt, who is now within touching distance of the title, the free practice was incredibly close, with just four hundredths of a second separating the front three. His time was 1 minute 46.210 seconds.

Things got a bit tougher for the Swindon teenager in the second free practice session, finishing down in fifth place and 1.765 seconds from the fastest rider.

In Q1, despite the wet track from the overnight rain, Nesbitt completed the 16 laps just over half a second off the front in fourth position.

With better conditions in Q2, Nesbitt was involved in a great battle with two other riders battling for the top spot – with the championship leader coming out on top.

Lining up for the race in pole position, Nesbitt battled hard with Spanish rider Dani Saez, who took the lead going into the second lap.

Nesbitt soon returned to the front as the riders went through Island Bend and into Shell Oils Corner.

He held the lead but was unable to break away as first Ed Rendell challenged the Swindon rider and then Josh Owens.

Nesbitt briefly lost the lead to Owens on the final lap as he went inside going into the hairpin, but he squeezed back through as they rode through Hislops Chicane.

The Swindon youngster kept calm and rode on to take the victory.

Cook, meanwhile, was in fifth after the opening session of the two free practice runs held on Friday.

A quick start to Saturday’s qualifying sessions saw the 13-year-old improve again with his timed-laps, sitting in 11th and 12th for the majority of the sessions as he continued his development.

Fresh determination resulted in a renewed push from Cook knowing he had the fastest Honda machine through the speed traps and despite the worry of end of session traffic, his 1:47.737 secured him 11th on the grid.

Cook got off to a great start as he moved up to ninth at the first corner, before quickly advancing hard on the wheels of Edmund Best.

The Swindon youngster then climbed into seventh in lap eight and eyed a higher placing.

However, a mistake on the last lap saw the 13-year-old drop back in the field to finish 10th and claim six more championship points.