Teenage Lincoln twins Alex and Sam Lowes endured difficult starts to the European Superstock 600cc Championships at the first round in Valencia, Spain.
Kawasaki rider Alex suffered engine problems and came home in 25th, while Sam, on a Honda, made a poor start from 12th on the grid to finish 27th.
But the twins, 17, were encouraged by their first international race.
"If everything had gone to plan I was looking to get in the points," said Sam. "But at least it was a finish."
Round two is at Assen in Holland on 26 April, with both Sam's Azione Corse team and Alex's 0Six Kawasaki outfit confident of solving their gearbox and engine problems to give the twins a chance of a points finish.
Louth racer Peter Hickman was also in action at Valencia, finishing 10th as a wild-card entry in the opening round of the GSX-R European Cup.
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