MORECAMBE motorcycling superstar John McGuinness will be carrying the hopes of the county when he contests the 500cc British Grand Prix at Donnington Park this weekend.

Following on from a sensational first half to the season which has seen him win at Daytona, as well as claiming his maiden TT win in the Isle of Man, the 25 year old currently leads the British 250cc Championship, has a wild card entry for his home Grand Prix for the third year running.

McGuinness will be lining up against championship leader Alex Criville of Spain as well as Italian Max Biaggi and Americans Kenny Roberts and John Kocinski.

Sadly, World Champion Mick Doohan is sidelined through injury but there is still a strong field with a host of top Spaniards and Japanese.

For John it is the second consecutive year that he has ridden in the 500cc British Grand Prix and will be looking to improve his 12th place finish in last year's event.

"It's very important race for us and we're better prepared this year so hopefully we can get a decent result. The top ten would be fantastic but I don't think I can get much higher unless it rains," said John who, if he finishes inside the top 15, will equal the feat of Carl Fogarty back in 1990 as being the only rider this decade to win a TT and score 500cc championship points in the same season.

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