Allingham's bid for the perfect double

David Allingham's pursuit of the British Superstock Championship has become a captivating narrative this season, marked not only by his impressive results but also by the significant personal growth he has undergone. The Northern Irish rider has secured seven victories from nine races, a feat he admits he would have gladly accepted back in January.

This remarkable transformation has been fueled by newfound confidence, which Allingham attributes to its pivotal role. A double victory at Brands Hatch last year served as a turning point, as he declared to the BBC Bikes podcast on BBC Sounds, "I came home that weekend and said, you know what, I can actually do this - at every track, not just Brands Hatch."

Allingham's mental struggles were a significant hurdle he had to overcome. He had tried sports psychologists but found their approach overly complicated and added unnecessary pressure. Consequently, his breakthrough came from within and from within his personal life. His fiancée Megan became his source of motivation and support, even going so far as to stop him from quitting the sport entirely.

Reflecting on their ordeal, Allingham remembers telling Megan, "I don't even know if I want to do this anymore," to which she responded, "You have got this, start believing in yourself, and the champagne will taste even sweeter when we win."

Now, the couple is setting their sights on a shared goal. Allingham expressed his dream of winning the British Championship and then getting married the following week, describing it as the perfect ending to a defining year. A crucial factor in Allingham's success is his Northern Irish team, SMS/Nicholl's Oils BMW, who he believes have rebuilt his confidence after injuries and periods of self-doubt.

He says, "We are a little team from Eglinton and Greysteel trying to give it to the big teams. The first thing those boys done was put an arm around me." With his outlook now positive and his belief firmly rooted, Allingham is riding the crest of a wave, chasing the perfect double.