Ellison returns to winning ways at Silverstone

Knox Handroid protected James Ellison returned to the top step of the podium at Silverstone in the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, taking a commanding victory in the second race.

Ellison had just missed out on a podium finish in race one with a strong fourth place, but in the wet conditions in the second outing he led from the start of the race to edge out an impressive 5.8 second lead over second placed Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Ellison said: "I can't express the emotions I was feeling, not only in the final laps but also now as it feels like it has been a long time coming. The first race we were losing a bit of grip and we were going to make some changes, but then it rained and we knew we were confident with out wet setting. I went out in race two and just got my groove on and knew from my pit board I had a gap over Kiyo, but I have been so unlucky this season that I was waiting for something like a plane to fall out of the sky and hit me! I knew in the last laps I just needed to hold it together and I got a bit excited on the last lap and nearly threw myself off, but fortunately I saved it and it was such a rush of feelings for me when I crossed the line. I need to thank everybody who has supported me this season and also send special thanks to my crew chief Mick Shanley as he missed the race today as his wife is about to have a baby. I now just want to get to Oulton Park!"
Swan Honda team manager Shaun Muir concluded: "I can't express how happy the whole of the Swan Honda team are feeling at the end of that second race. James put in a faultless performance and he really deserved that win after what has been a tough season with his injury. It feels like it has been a long time coming for him, but he got his head down and got on with the job and showed that had it not been for the crash at Thruxton he would have been a serious title contender. "

KEEP UP WITH THE KNOX ATHLETES

Impact protection specialists Planet-Knox have launched a brand new micro site dedicated to the wide variety of athletes who rely on the British-company's market-leading safety products. With input from superbike racers, stunt riders, motocrossers and mountain bikers, the Knox Athletes site features picture galleries,plus regularly updated blogs and twitter feeds, so viewers can keep up with the latest news.

Prominent sports men on the Knox Athletes site are 2009 British Superbike runner-up James Ellison, racing for Swan Honda in BSB this year, and motorcycle stunt rider Sparky Stunts, widely regarded as the Ace Cafe's official No.1 Stunt Rider.

Off-road riding is represented by former Relentless Suzuki star Jamie Law, who is running a one-man team this year. Often the first non "works" rider home, Jamie is a great development rider and helped Knox create their class leading Warrior harness.

World Cup downhill mountain bike racers Stuart "Jenko" Jenkinson and Liam Little are both dedicated hard-riding competitors who rely on Knox armour to protect them during the unavoidable bumps and scrapes that occur in their sport and their blog entries are action-packed.

On top of all this readers can find out what members of the Knox test team are up to; with contributors from the design, development and sales teams. "We don't always get it right and it's the constant mishaps on the trail or track that keep the developments going" explains company MD Geoff Travell.

"Ultimately the intention is to grow the Knox Athletes microsite over the next 12 months to around 50 Knox-protected sports people from around the world, creating an exciting window that reveals the real face of Knox - the users." For further information, call Knox on 01900 825825 or visit www.knox-armour.co.uk/athletes/

ELLISON RETURNS TO BSB WITH KNOX AT MALLORY PARK

Knox protected James Ellison returns to British Superbikes on the Swan Honda for round five of the MCE Insurance Championship at Mallory Park.

Ellison, who has been relying on Knox Handroid this season, has been out of action since sustaining a broken femur during practice at Thruxton and since then has been determined to return to fitness with extensive physiotherapy and sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. He is now able to be completely focused on the weekend ahead after being declared fit during last weekend’s British MotoGP round by BSB Chief Medical Officer Dr Romer whilst she was officiating as the Chief Medical Officer at the event.

Ellison said: “I am happy that this weekend I will back in the Swan Honda garage and ready to race after what feels like an eternity since Thruxton and I need to thank everyone who has supported me over the past weeks. I was fortunate that I could take my fitness test at the MotoGP round so now I can go to Mallory Park with my mind fully on racing. I have completely put my injury behind me now and although I am not completely back to full fitness I am approaching this weekend as I have any other earlier this season. I am not going out on circuit just to try and salvage points, I need to go out there and be pushing for wins or at least the podium. I am going to be giving it one hundred percent this weekend and I still believe that the top six is completely achievable with five rounds and eleven races before the cut off point for the Showdown.”

For more information visit http://www.swanhonda.co.uk/

ELLISON RETURNS TO THE TRACK AT MALLORY PARK TEST

Swan Honda’s James Ellison returned to the track at Mallory Park yesterday (Thursday) just seven weeks after sustaining a broken femur in a practice crash at Thruxton earlier this season.

Ellison completed around 50 laps of the circuit during the test and used the track time to personally test his fitness and he now feels confident that he will be in a position to return to the championship for the next round at the Leicestershire circuit in two weeks’ time.

Ellison said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect before I got back on the Swan Honda so I arrived at Mallory Park with no expectations. I was happy though that I was able to complete around 50 to 60 laps of the circuit. I haven’t obviously been chasing lap times as the focus was just to get me back out on the track, but although I am not completely back to full fitness I feel good and really want to be back out on the grid at Mallory Park to try and get my championship back on track.”

Swan Honda team manager Shaun Muir concluded: “The focus of the test was to re-acclimatise James with the feel of the bike and work the body in places where you cannot reach in the gym. Conditions were not ideal, but he worked his way into the test and he has come away with a huge boost of confidence ahead of the next round. We will discuss the situation with the BSB medical team and hopefully satisfy them that James’ is fit enough to race in two weeks time.”

For more information visit www.swanhonda.co.uk

Ellison steps up at Brands

James Ellison's British Superbike campaign got off to a strong start at Brands Hatch last weekend, with the Cumbrian rider securing a double podium finish and taking victory in the second race of the day.
Ellison - who has used Knox body armour throughout his BSB career, and has chosen Knox Handroid gloves to help keep his 2010 campaign on track - started from tenth on the grid in the opening race, battling through the field to secure third.
In race two he got off to a storming start, leading the field to the finish and giving the Swan Honda team their first win of the season.
Ellison said: "I knew we had the pace so it was a case of keeping it smooth and consistent as there were about ten people out there that could have won the race. I wanted to get into the lead in the second race, as we moved up to the front row, and I knew we would have a good shot at the win, which is exactly what we did."
Protecting vulnerable areas, like hands and feet, is crucial for any racer as even a ‘small’ injury like a scaphoid break can put a rider out action for several weeks; loosing rider and team vital championship points.
Working closely with James, and other riders, Knox has developed a new range of motorcycle gloves, featuring a host of patented protection and safety innovations. Features include unique exoskeleton finger protection, Knox’s patented Scaphoid Protection System and the exclusive BOA lacing system.

Ellison hands it to Knox

British Superbike title contender James Ellison has chosen innovative Knox Hand Armour to help his bid for the 2010 crown. The 29 year-old Cumbrian rider has used Knox back protectors throughout his superbike and MotoGP career, and will be wearing Knox Handroid to help keep his 2010 campaign - with the Swan Honda team – on track this season.
Protecting vulnerable areas, like hands and feet, is crucial for any racer - even a ‘minor’ injury like a scaphoid break (affecting a bone in the wrist) can put a rider out action for several weeks - losing both rider and team vital championship points and jeopardising a title bid.
Since producing their first back-protector in 1981, Knox has been the leading innovator of impact protection and has now developed a new range of protection for the hand that features a host of patented protection and safety innovations.
This includes the unique exoskeleton finger and metacarpal protection, a sport profile version of Knox’s Scaphoid Protection System and the exclusive BOA lacing system, which uses an innovative cable closure system to offer the perfect fit. Innovative honeycomb gel impact protection on the back of the hand and the knuckles, plus wrist guard shrouds, complete the range’s first class protective properties.
Due to go on sale in March, Knox Hand Armour will be available from all authorised Knox retailers. Call 01900 825 825 or visit www.knox-lab.com for details. See the video at http://www.youtube.com/planetknox.
Editors Notes: James Ellison returns to the Swan Honda team after finishing runner-up in 2009 BSB Championship. Ellison was the most consistent title contender in 2009 and was the only rider to score points in each of the 26 races taking 14 podium finishes, four of which were race victories. Visit http://www.swanhonda.co.uk/ for details.

Knox Hand Armour winner SAt 28 Nov 2009

Saturday's Knox Hand Armour winner was picked from the free prize draw by BDB championship runner up James Ellison. Mark Vedere of Camberley in Surrey will receive a free set of Hand Armour in the New Year. The free prize draw runs on the Planet Knox stand at the NEC Bike Show until Sunday 6th December.

Streetwise Forma for winter

Forma, manufacturers of CE-approved motorcycle footwear and suppliers to current British Superbike Championship challenger James Ellison, are renowned for the superb protection afforded by their sports boots. Although James and the other BSB contenders demand the very best in comfort, fit and protection from their boots, the year-round road rider needs that little bit extra. With this in mind, Forma has expanded its already comprehensive touring range with an all-new model, the Street Evo.
Protection from the elements is crucial for any motorcyclist planning to ride through the autumn and winter months, so the Street Evo features a Drytex tubular lining to ensure even the worst weather conditions are kept at bay. Riding in wintry conditions can also increase the risk of accidents, so a durable leather upper, TPU moulded plastic protectors at the shin and ankle, and a TPU Dual Flex, anti-shock EVA midsole are incorporated, to provide maximum impact protection, hence CE-approval. Dual Velcro fasteners provide a snug fit, and a triple density, anti-slip and oil-resistant sole offers further piece of mind; giving a firm grip on the pegs and sure-footing on wet roads.
The Street Evo's flexible construction, memory foam inserts and an innovative Air Pump System (APS) – which provides extra cushioning by using pressure from the foot to pump air into the footbed – ensure comfort during day-long rides.
Forma Street Evo boots are available in black, sizes 36-50 at an RRP of £99.99.
Planet Knox T. 01900 825825, W. http://www.planet-knox.com/

Success for KNOX riders at Donington BSB

James Ellison rode his Airwaves Yamaha to his maiden victory in British Superbikes in Race Two at Donington Park on Bank Holiday Monday. "It's about time I won a race in BSB" quipped James, who wears a Knox back protector and Forma boots. "The adrenaline is still pumping and I can't wait to get to Thruxton now next weekend."

James was not not only Knox supported rider to enjoy success at Donington. Alastair Seeley won the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race on the Relentless Suzuki by TAS, just a week after his high speed crash at the NW200 road races. "Knox protection took the brunt of the impact and stood up very well to the crash" stated Seeley.