Adam Jenkinson – BSB second time around

Adam Jenkinson gets a second crack at BSB, having signed to ride for Buildbase Kawasaki.

His first crack at the top level with SMT Honda in 2008 didn’t last long. A monster crash – thanks to a locked gearbox – in the first round of the season at Thruxton left him with two badly broken wrists that took him a year of recuperation.

Last year he got back in the groove, taking an SMT Honda to fourth in the National Superstock series. And now he’s back in the big time.

It must have felt like a long road back, having to re-establish yourself last year in Superstock?
Yeah, but apart from a couple of hiccups, everything went to plan. I aimed to get back to full fitness – I’d have seven ops on my wrists to get them sorted but even now I’ve got limited movement in one of them.

But we  had a good year and kept progressing. But I knew all along I wanted to be back on a superbike.

I had a few calls about riding in other classes but out of the blue, Stuart (Hicken – Buildbase Kawasaki) called to ask me what plans I had for 2010.

When was that?
Towards the end of the season. He offered me a race on the bike at the Sunflower International (at Bishopscourt).

I’d never seen the place in my life so it was new bike, new team, new track – and what a bumpy track.

I didn’t want to do anything daft, and just went to gel with the team. I knew I was riding for a job.

So now you’ve got the job. What are your expectations?
Well, it’s like my BSB rookie season but I’d like to be top ten straight off.

When I raced at Thruxton I was fifth, right with Cal Crutchlow, Michael Rutter, Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam and three of them went on to WSB. I know next year will be tough.

We’re hoping to get out and do a little bit of testing before Christmas if possible – and then there’s talk of a week in Spain, testing with Bitubo (the team’s suspension backer).

Stuart has said on record he expects podiums from both you and your team-mate John Laverty. How do you see it?
He’s been around the sport a long time and he’s the boss so he’s going to push for results.

It’s a tall order for me but I’ll be giving it everything.  I’m training hard, doing everything I can. I’m taking this very seriously and aim to do my best.