SWINDON’S Fraser Rogers claimed his maiden victory in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship with a thrilling performance at Knockhill circuit in Scotland last weekend.

Rogers’ IN Competition Aprilia team were aiming to improve on last season’s third-place finish, and they made the perfect start as Rogers pulled off an inspired ride to take his place on the top step of the podium.

Saturday’s practice sessions ended with a fifth-place finish – however, Rogers was only 0.022 seconds off top spot on the 1.29 mile circuit and the opening display gave the Swindonian a huge confidence boost.

Sunday’s pre-final saw Rogers launch away from the lights and possess third place for the majority of the race. However, after battling with Taylor Mackenzie late on, Rogers clipped Mackenzie’s back wheel when trying to out-break him and the Aprilia man fell down to 20th place. Rogers managed to climb his way back up the board and ended the pre-final in ninth.

Rogers began in fourth for the main final, and after a series of position swaps with rivals Tim Neave and Billy MConnell, the Swindon racer recovered his position to focus on the three in front.

Aprilia watched on as Rogers repeated a fine move at the hairpin twice more, pushing him up to third behind McConnell and Chrissy Rouse.

With a little over a lap to go, Rogers passed McConnell by out-breaking the Australian as he struggled to keep his back wheel on the floor around the final bend. But once he did, Rogers emerged out in front and was not seen again before taking the chequered flag.

Reacting to a sensational day of racing and his first victory, Rogers said: “I am super, super happy with the weekend.

“It started off really well and that is pretty much how it continued. We worked towards our main objective which was to be on the podium.

“We managed to secure a good qualifying position, P4 for race one, but unfortunately I made a small error in race one that cost us the podium, if not potentially the top spot.

“I managed to do a fast enough time that I remained on P4 for race two where I got my head down and really got stuck in to get the victory.

“I am so happy to get the win for the IN Competition team and on board such an amazing machine.

“I would like to thank all of the team, the sponsors and all my friends and family, I really could not do it without you.

“It is a massive weight off my shoulders getting the win, finally in the Superstock series and I now know that I can do it.

“The team really believed in me and now I want this to be the first of many.”