James Cowton Presented With Geoff Duke Trophy

2015-01-28 07:34
The winner of the 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings received his
award at the annual Auto 66 Dinner & Prize Presentation earlier
this month.

Yorkshire's James Cowton, who is widely seen as a rising star of
the road racing scene, is the first English rider to win the
prestigious award.

Twenty-two year old James had a superb 2014 season, taking a
total of six race victories during the year, including his first
international race win at the Ulster Grand Prix on the Dundrod
course.

Consistency was the key to his Road Race Rankings wins – on
top of his race victories he placed second or third in 22 of the 45
races he finished, indeed only three finishes saw him out of the
top six.

James received the coveted Geoff Duke Trophy and replica from
“The Duke's” son Peter, Managing Director of Duke Marketing,
who was instrumental in setting up what is now considered to be
an accurate barometer of the most successful riders of dedicated
real road racers.

Results Coordinator Champion House Douglas Isle of Man IM99 1DD
Phone: 01624-640013 Mobile 07624-479885
philedge@manx.net
Facebook : Duke Road Race Rankings


 
The inaugural winner in 2002, was Northern Ireland based Welshman Ian Lougher who
went on to collect the award again in 2005 and 2006.

Manxman Conor Cummins took the honour in 2007 and last year's winner was
Ballymoney's Michael Dunlop.

Fellow Northern Ireland rider Ryan Farquhar first won the Duke Rankings in 2003, retaining
the title in 2004, missing out until 2008, he then had a secure hold on the series (and
the trophy) each year up to and including 2012 -five consecutive years, making seven
times in all!

The top six riders in 2014 were all front runners at the TT and are expected to be in the
leading pack once more this year:

1st James Cowton 1858 points
2nd Ivan Lintin 1817
3rd Dean Harrison 1799
4th Michael Dunlop 1591
5th Dan Kneen 1408
6th Guy Martin 1372

Peter Duke commented: 'Another thrilling season with 479 point-scoring riders underlines
the increasing popularity of real roads racing and I am extremely proud that the Duke
Series plays its part in the sport.

'It's often thought Irish riders dominate road racing, but this year's results showcase the
talent and enthusiasm for 'closed roads' in the rest of the British Isles. Long may it
continue!'

Source: Auto 66 Racing

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