Plater back in the saddle at Brands

HM PLANT Honda man Steve Plater has been back on the track at Brands Hatch this week - the first time since the Nottinghamshire rider has ridden a motorcycle since crashing at the North West 200 in May.

Completing several laps on the Brands Indy circuit, Plater joined Australian Bryan Staring who deputised for him at Snetterton and will also return to the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship grid at Brands Hatch next weekend (7/8/9 August).

Plater suffered two broken vertebrae and a broken wrist in the high-speed crash at NW200 but the reigning British Supersport champion is hopeful of a comeback at his home round at Cadwell Park on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Steve said: “I haven’t ridden a bike since 13 May when I crashed at the North West 200, but it felt so good being back out on track today. I didn’t really know what to expect as I still have a slight numbness in my fingers, but once I was out there I had not issues at all. This morning I woke up and I was revving for it; I was just so excited about getting the leathers back on and doing some laps in a relaxed fashion.

“I am happy enough at the end of the day, we haven’t been on the race bike but I have done loads of laps on the Honda Hornet and having completed today I am still targeting a return at Cadwell Park. I am still having physio twice a week and I am getting better every day, so once I have seen the specialist in Nottingham before Cadwell Park and seen the BSB medical staff I should be all systems go. It has been great to help Bryan out here too and show him around the place before next weekend. I just can’t wait to get back out there now having watched from the sidelines for so long.”