SIMON Belcher performed admirably on his Pro Watercross World Championship debut in Florida at the weekend, confirming a successful conclusion to the Swindon rider’s stateside tour.

Belcher, who starred during round two of the Jet Sport World Series at Lake Havasu in Nevada three weeks ago, made the 2,500 mile-plus trip east to Naples for six races that took place on the first two days of the month.

On day one, November 1, Belcher achieved three strong finishes in the Pro-Am veteran class to end the day second in the championship.

A day later, Belcher competed in the Pro-Stock Championship – a series contested by three former world champions.

And Belcher took fifth overall following three hard-fought races.

Importantly, the vital experience gained can only stand Belcher in good stead for the last event of the three-round World Series at Pattaya City in Thailand, which takes place at the beginning of December.

Belcher said: “It was good to get second in the veteran class, even though we didn’t manage to find the sweet spot with the set-up.

“We continued to work hard for Saturday in Pro Stock and we learnt a lot, which will all make me stronger going forward – you never stop learning.

“Pro Stock was the main event of the weekend.

“It was always going to be a challenge racing against some serious competition, and it wasn’t until midway through the final race I got the set-up dialled in and feeling like my boat back home in the UK.”