TEAM APPLEYARD looked to have their first 125cc win of the year in the bag - when the team's riders crashed into each other and out of the race.

Things had been going well for the Keighley-based team with senior rider Ashley Beech setting a new lap record in practice to take pole position on the starting grid. He was 1.3 seconds under the record set last year by another Team Colin Appleyard rider, Joe Dickinson.

Race instructions from team manager Robin Appleyard, were to start steadily and get some heat into the tyres before really opening up. During his cautious start Ashley dropped back to sixth place before he launched his attack and left the other riders in his wake.

On laps three and four he smashed the lap record and was consistently lapping under the lap record and with three laps to go was six seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Disaster struck as beech came up to lap three back markers including his team mate 'CT' Andrews. Instead of taking a more conservative outside line Beech tried to dive under Andrews, who is just 13 years of age, as they raced into the corner.

The bikes touched and both riders slid out of the race.

Appleyard tried to put a brave face on the disappointing ending to the weekend. "Ashley was in a different league to the other rides and was back up to the level of performance he was achieving at the end of last season. We had made one or two adjustments to the bike and they obviously suited Ashley perfectly.

"I'm no looking for consistency and hope we can take the positives we have gained to Knock Hill later in the month," he said.

Robin Appleyard has also applied for a 'wild card' entry for Beech to ride in the British Grand Prix that takes place at Donington in July.

n Ashley Beech in action on his Team Appleyard 250cc motorbike.