STROUD'S Dan Cooper wrapped up his road racing season in fine style at the weekend when he took an excellent eighth place finish at the 48th Macau Grand Prix.

Riding for DMR Racing once more, the 27-year old took his maiden top ten finish around the demanding 3.8-mile road circuit to add to the high class results already achieved this year at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

The former 125cc British Champion was having his just his third outing around the armco-lined course whilst he also had to re-familiarise himself with the BMW S1000R machine he last campaigned at the same meeting twelve months ago but he soon got into his stride.

Indeed, he got quicker as race week wore on and after posting the 15th fastest time in the opening qualifying session, he lapped some 2.5s quicker in the second and final session to move up to 12th overall and set himself up nicely for Saturday's 12-lap race.

A good start to the race, held alongside the prestigious World Touring Car Championship and International F3 events, saw Dan hold station but, lapping at almost identical pace to what he had done in qualifying, he soon moved up inside the top ten to challenge not only seasoned Macau GP specialists but also some of the sport's finest road racers.

Closing up to 21-times TT winner John McGuinness and regular leading privateer Steve Mercer, Dan had high hopes of climbing higher still but as the race entered it's second half, he had to ease his pace slightly due to arm pump and, secure in eighth, he wisely settled for the position for another superb road racing result.

Cooper said: "Macau's like no other road race meeting we go to and with it still being only my third time here, I'm still learning my way around the place but I couldn't have been happier with how the week turned out.

"I eased my way into things during free practice and qualifying but was delighted to reduce my lap times by two and a half seconds in the final qualifying session to move up to 12th. I made a good start to the race and was soon up to tenth and by half race distance, I'd caught both John and Steve.

"I was really happy with how I was riding but it's such a demanding circuit though and there's never any respite and, sadly, my arms started to pump up and I had to concentrate on holding onto my eighth place, which I duly did. It's a great result to end my year so special thanks to everyone at DMR Racing, The Space Centre, IVS Motorsport, Stroud Sports Clinic and TTR Racing. Roll on 2015!"