Top-five finish for Peter Hickman in World Endurance race

He was racing in a three-man team, with Kenny Foray and Stefan Kerschbaumer for the Volpker NRT 48 BMW Motorrad team at the Slovakiaring circuit.

The team had been running within the top six throughout free practice and qualifying, and as the race began, Foray took the first session on the bike before handing over to Kerschbaumer, and then Hickman.

The three took their turns exchanging places when they came in to refuel and change tyres, and were always running in the top six.

When Hickman took over for the final hour they had moved up into fifth place, and the Louth racer held station as he had the honour of taking the chequered flag.

“Slovakiaring is a fantastic circuit and I really enjoyed my time with the team during free practice and qualifying, plus was pleased to be chosen to finish the race,” he said.

“We had a great time and I have to thank the team for all their hard work throughout the week.”

Hickman travelled back to London to change planes and take off to Northern Ireland, where he will compete in the North West 200 races, around the public roads which link the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.

The course, known as the Triangle, is one of the fastest in the world with riders achieving average speeds of 120mph and top speeds in excess of 200mph.

In last year’s races Hickman recorded a fifth and eighth place in the Superbike class, fifth in Superstock, and eighth in Supersport, and will be looking to improve on those positions this time round.