LUKE Jones has vowed to repay his backer with podium finishes in this season’s Motorpoint British Supersport Championship.

The 24-year-old motorcycle ace is heading to Thruxton today (Thursday) after a promising opening round.

Jones, from Hereford, finished fourth last weekend in the second race at Brands Hatch just days after picking up his new bike.

“We picked up the bike from Holland on Wednesday, got back to the UK on Thursday morning and then drove straight to Brands Hatch,” said Jones.

“We thought that we wouldn’t be racing this year but Ken Davies from KGD stepped in at the last minute and saved the day.

“If it wasn’t for Ken I would not be racing this year - it’s as simple as that.

“To our surprise, Ken was doing things behind the scenes and then stepped in and bought us our own bike.”

Jones, who is riding a Honda CBR600 machine, is wearing number 82 on the grid this season.

There are 12 rounds in the series, winding up at Brands Hatch in October.

In the opening race at Brands Hatch, Jones qualified 14th and then finished eighth.

He was in the front row for the second race and, after a six-way battle for first place, came fourth.

“We were all over the moon with fourth place,”

said Jones, who works at Bike Bits R Us in Hereford.

“It was my first time riding the bike - and against people who had been testing throughout the winter.”

Jones was last year riding for 777 RR Triumph, a factory supported team.

He finished 10th overall and came second in the cup, despite breaking a collarbone half-way through the season.

Jones is pleased to have his dad, Dave, mum, Sue, and grandfather, Clive, back in his racing team.

“We have more control over what happens with the bike and, with Ken Davies on board, he’s helping out.

“Last weekend was the first time that Barry Watkins had been with us in more than a year,” said Jones.

Jones is competing in the main championship this term. “My main aim now is to be on the main podium in every round,” he said.

“Last weekend, I beat last year’s champion and another former champion, so it was a promising start.”

The Hereford rider now has his sights on his favourite track, Thruxton, ahead of this weekend’s second round of the series.

“I love Thruxton - it’s full of very fast corners but it’s also where I’ve had my biggest crash. Thruxton is the best racing track in this country.”