British Superbikes: Tom Grant to replace injured Adam Jenkinson

Former Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup champion Tom Grant will replace the injured Adam Jenkinson at Oulton Park about the SMT Honda.

Jenkinson’s race two crash at Thruxton left the Mancunian with a broken right wrist that could keep him out of contention for the entire month of May.

Grant, the 2006 Vrigin R6 Cup winner and Supersport front runner last year with the Rob McElnea backed squad has had a European 600 Superstock deal with Triumph fall through last minute, leaving him without a ride for the season.

Grant made a return to British tarmac two weekend’s ago riding for the Rob Mac Proride team in British Supersport at Thruxton, claiming a sixth position finish.

But with an empty slot for a couple of races opening up with the SMT British Superbike team, Grant will get a ‘probationary’ ride at Oulton.

SMT Honda Team Owner Robin Croft told MCN: “We’ve had a lot of interest in the ride and a lot of people have shown concern for Adam.

“But we wanted to continue what we have with Adam – we want to be successful with promising young riders.

“We haven’t got anything against the more experienced older riders, we just want to give someone else a chance.

“I’ve spoken to Tom a few times now and he’s relishing the challenge.

“Oulton will be probationary for both Tom and the team – he’ll be checking us out and we’ll be checking him out, and if all goes well maybe we could keep secure a deal with Tom to ride the rounds Adam will miss.

“Adam’s had his second operation and we’ve got another X-ray with Toby Branfoot, the British Superbike Doctor, on Sunday evening to see how long it’ll be before we can get Adam back on a bike – realistically I think it will be Snetterton.”