Securing a sixth Welsh Open crown in seven years, Stroud’s Dan Cooper proved once again over this weekend at Aberdare Park why he is regarded as one of the all time greats, of Wales at present only real roads meeting.
Dominant throughout both of the Welsh Open races, Sunday afternoon’s feature race saw the 2013 TT Privateers champion truly in a league of his own, powering to race honours by a margin of over 20 seconds in front of nearest pursuer Joe Thompson.
Photo by Steve Snelling
York’s Thompson returning to road racing action, for the first time since last year’s Ulster Grand Prix, was also the nearest challenger to KW Electrical Services/CMS backed Cooper in the opening Welsh Open encounter on Saturday, which also saw Jamie Evans claim his first of two feature race podium finishes.
Outside of Cooper, Thompson, Evans, others to show solid, accomplished form throughout the two days of competition for the coveted Welsh Open title included former champion John Simpson, Oliver’s Mount specialist Mick Goodings.
Local favourites 2018 Newcomers B Manx GP winner Michael Rees, Ty Jones and Justin Collins, plus 2009 TT Zero winner, event debutant Rob Barber who gelled quickly with the narrow, tight, twisty Aberdare course.
Aberdare Park Welsh Open race results, are as follows:
Race 1:
1 Dan Cooper
2 Joe Thompson
3 Jamie Evans
4 John Simpson
5 Rob Barber
6 Michael Rees
7 Mick Goodings
8 Justin Collins
9 Jason Markham
10 Sandy Berwick
Race 2:
1 Dan Cooper
2 Joe Thompson
3 Jamie Evans
4 Mick Goodings
5 John Simpson
6 Jason Markham
7 Michael Rees
8 Martin Robbins
9 Ty Jones
10 Sandy Berwick
Words by Stevie Rial