Kingston University’s electric motorbike team celebrated a fairytale ending to the maiden TTXGP champion-ship at Brands Hatch on Sunday after rider Adam Palfreman clinched second place, writes James Buckfield.

The 28-year-old revelled in the tricky damp conditions to realise Kingston University lecturer and technical director Paul Brandon’s dreams of a podium result. He showed improved speed to also steal fourth place in the final points standings.

Brandon said: “Although unexpected, to get second is a fantastic result for the team and a really nice way to end the season.

“Adam rode a great race and made the crucial move when it mattered.”

Palfreman started one place higher on the grid, in a season’s best second, after front-runner and Isle of Mann TT competitor James McBride crashed out in the morning’s practice session.

But away from the lights, he was swallowed up by quick-starting rival Peter Ward into the first corner.

A jubilant Palfreman said: “That was the best the bike has felt all year – it has improved so much over the course of the season.

“I had the power on the straights, it was well-balanced and is testament to the work that Paul has put in and is a much-deserved end.”

Brandon has been working on the Peter Williams-made bike since 2009 with a group of engineering students at Kingston’s Roehampton Vale campus, in Friars Avenue. Kingston is the first and only academic institution to compete in the TTGXP – a zero emissions racing series that also runs across Europe and the USA.

He said: “A huge thank-you to all our sponsors without whom this season would not have been possible.”