BBC SPORT | Motorsport | McWilliams: Confidence is building

BBC Sport Online columnist Jeremy McWilliams reflects on his impressive seventh place finish in the Czech Moto Grand Prix at Brno

I was pleased to take another seventh place at Brno but I can't help feeling it could have been even better, perhaps fifth or sixth.

It was frustrating to drop back to 18th on the first lap and I was annoyed with myself because I had made a mistake by taking the outside line and got pushed out wide.

I usually take the inside but this time I tried the outside on the second turn and also got messed about on the third turn.

I rode really hard to work my way up the field but had to slow down slightly with about five laps to go as I was losing traction and the tyres were starting to slide.

The Bridgestone tyres continue to improve however and I could not really ask for more from them at the moment.

This turned out to be a circuit which suited the Proton

I opted to use the standard chassis at this circuit because it is easier to steer through the chicanes and is less physically demanding.

It also gives the engine more punch going onto the straights.

We fitted a new rear suspension link for this round which makes it feel more like the new chassis.

Much to my surprise, this turned out to be a circuit which suited the Proton.

There are five long straights on the course but also some bendy bits in which I was able to make up time although I was on the edge a few times.

Jeremy McWilliams is action at the recent German MotoGP
The Proton bike is improving steadily

The team would have felt really hard done by if we had not scored some good points here as we were putting in consistently fast times all weekend.

I went faster than the bike had ever gone before at this circuit in both qualifying sessions.

In fact, I could have been further up the starting grid but for a scare on my final qualifying lap.

I was trying just a bit too hard and lost the front and the side but somehow managed to keep the bike upright with my elbow and my knee.

I was really fortunate to stay on.

I wore a hole through my leathers but I knew I was on a fast lap which would have been on a par with the pole position speed from last year.

The mood in the team continues to be upbeat after this result and it was pleasing to get a good finish to reward all the hard work which they have put in.

I'm feeling a lot more confident now and I think there is more to come from this bike.

Estoril promises to be even better.


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