The Aprilia racer uses XC discs and GPFAX pads for his road racing campaigns
Experienced road racer, Oliver Dean Charlesworth, recently competed in the demanding North West 200 race in Northern Ireland.
Charlesworth has recently upgraded to run EBC Brakes’ XC discs and GPFAX pads on his Aprilia superbike, obtaining impressive results across the weekend.
Read how it all panned out in his team’s own words below…
“Back in May, our team made its debut on the famous nine-mile ‘Triangle’ circuit around Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush in Northern Ireland. Sharing the tarmac with legends past and present – such as Joey Dunlop, Ryan Farwell, David Todd, John McGuinness and Peter Hickman – our goal was simple but ambitious: qualify within 15% of the fastest lap time and then improve with each outing.”
Qualifying
“After two days of practice, we hit our target every single session. Each lap was faster than the last as we fine-tuned suspension settings, found clearer lines through the Glenshesk and metered our fuel load just right. By the final qualifying run, we were well inside 15% of the benchmark time, thanks in no small part to our machine’s stout engine and the extraordinary stopping power provided by our new partners at EBC Brakes.”
Race Day
Supertwin Race 1
– Start wave: 3rd
– Finish position: 24th
– Key moment: A clean getaway off the line saw us slot into the pack without drama. Mid-race, we battled through Church Bends, but consistent lap times held us firmly in contention.
Supertwin Race 2
– Start wave: 3rd
– Finish position: 16th
– Key moment: A stronger launch this time propelled us past several rivals in the first mile. Tire temperature was spot-on, and our bike’s balance paid dividends round Castlerock, allowing us to pick off a few riders
Reflections & Next Steps
“We’re proud to have met – and exceeded – our own expectations in our very first international road races. Finishing 24th and then 16th out of a stacked field wasn’t just about positions on the board; it proved our package (bike, brakes, rider and crew) is rock solid. That said, relying on a single machine across two races did stretch our resources – lap times suffered slightly late in each outing as fatigue and mechanical wear set in.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to arrive with at least two fully prepped bikes, for two classes allowing us to push harder and chase even quicker laps. One thing’s for certain: once you’ve tasted the Triangle, you’re hooked for life – and we can’t wait to go back…”
GPFAX Pads
EBC’s GPFAX Sintered Race Brake Pads are for RACE ONLY use. This is a blend of brake pad that has higher friction and far better grip than any other brake product on the market.
X-Series Floating Discs
Since their introduction, EBC’s ultra-lightweight floating motorcycle rotors have become one of the worlds best selling lightest and best performing discs available for all modern sport bikes.
