Easton rides through pain barrier for Donington podium

PBM Kawasaki rider Stuart Easton rode through the pain barrier to take the final podium position of the weekend at the MCE British Superbike season opener at Donington last weekend.

The diminutive Scotsman admitted afterwards that he suffered all weekend long from agonizing arm pump, costing him the chance of a strong finish in the opening race. Arm pump causes the muscles of the arm to swell, reducing feeling and grip strength as well as causing severe pain.

However, powering through the pain for race two, Easton was able to make the break with teammate and reigning champion Shane Byrne and Rhonda Racing rider Dan Linfoot, matching the pace of the leading duo all race long to take the runner-up spot to them.

“I’m really happy to end the weekend with a podium as the first race was a bit of a disaster. I started to suffer with a little arm pump and I simply couldn’t pull the clutch in. It meant I hit a false neutral going into the Old Hairpin and it cost me the chance of a good result but third in the second race was a good way to finish.

“I was still struggling a bit and whilst I could run the pace of Shakey and Dan, I couldn’t really challenge them but I’m more than pleased to start the season with a podium.”