A FAMILY of motorbike racers is gearing up for the 2021 Ducati TriOptions Cup at some of the UK’s top circuits.

Brothers Matt and David Jones, who live in Rhyl, are set to represent their family team Dragon Racing at the road racing series which will undercard the 2021 British Superbike Race Series this summer.

Former Rydal Penrhos School pupils, the pair won the Wirral 100 Champions while big brother David has competed in the Isle of Man TT in 2010 and previously represented Wales in the British Ducati TriOptions Cup.

Their dad and former racer John is chief mechanic of the team and mum Debbie handles hospitality, while Matt’s wife Jen leads pitlane support and designs.

The pair - who wear the race numbers #89 and #92 to represent their year of birth - are now aiming to achieve personal bests on the Ducati V2, a 955cc sport bike model launched last year.

North Wales Pioneer: From left: Brother Christopher, rider David, mechanic Kev, mum Debbie, dad John, mechanic Jake, rider Matt and pitlane assistant and designer Jen. Picture: Camipix PhotographFrom left: Brother Christopher, rider David, mechanic Kev, mum Debbie, dad John, mechanic Jake, rider Matt and pitlane assistant and designer Jen. Picture: Camipix Photograph

David, 32, who performed well in his Ducati Trioptions Cup debut last year before it was cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak but he is hoping to pick up where he left off.

“I have been putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes to put myself and the team in a strong position as soon as the season begins,” he said.

“I aim to build vastly on the finishing results made round by round last year and aim to be challenging for podiums in the first few rounds. With testing only a few weeks away I can’t wait to get back on track and hit the ground running.”

The series is due to start at Oulton Park in Cheshire in May before moving on to prestigious circuits such as Thruxton, Donington, Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

North Wales Pioneer: More experience rider David leads the way with brother Matt close behind.More experience rider David leads the way with brother Matt close behind.

Credit: RBPS photography

Matt, 29, said he had a turbulent championship last year but plans on getting back to his very best.

“After a rocky start in 2020 with a couple of big crashes at Donington which knocked my confidence I was thrilled David came on board to help boost me back up, help me and encourage me to push on again,” he said.

“I am so excited to be back on track with him this year and the rest of the Ducati field, it will be another seriously competitive season with some old and new faces to which I am hoping to be at the sharp end again along with my brilliant team behind me.”

The test tours are set to begin take place in April as the riders prepare their bikes and organisers put the measures in place to ensure that coronavirus restrictions are followed.

Stuart Higgs, British Superbike Championship Series director, said: “Everyone at Bennetts BSB has worked extremely hard to deliver a fantastic championship this year despite the incredibly difficult circumstances we’ve found ourselves in. We’re all looking forward to another great season in 2021 and in particular the return of spectators to all of our events, as they have been very sorely missed.”