Expert motorcycle racer Paul DeCouto endured mixed fortunes at the weekend’s Michelin Pro Series and Champions Cup Series races at Road America.The Bermudian travelled to Wisconsin with high expectations of building upon a solid start to the season.DeCouto’s weekend got off to a promising start when he placed third in the Expert Unlimited Superbike race on Saturday and fourth in the Expert Formula 40 race which he led at one stage by a comfortable margin before his fortunes took a turn for the worse.“I led with about a ten second lead but I pushed it too hard and went off the track on the second last lap,” he said. “I got back on and took fourth place.”The gloomy conditions that wreaked havoc on Sunday’s racing mirrored DeCouto’s performance on the day in the Expert Unlimited Supersport event which saw him crash on the final lap with another podium finish within reach.“The race started and I charged to the front and it started sprinkling and a rider crashed in front of me,” DeCouto said. “I took evasive action to avoid him and me another rider checked out from the pack into a battle for the lead position.“I was chasing him down and the rain worsened so they red flagged the race. The officials declared it a wet race day and so I changed my bike (750cc) which was already set up for rain.“The rain was bad when they restarted the race and my visor was fogging up. I figured the other riders were experiencing the same so I charged on. I quickly got in third place and remained there until the last lap.“But just as I crested the hill on turn 14 from the chequered flag I pushed it a little too hard and lowsided my bike and slid off the track. I got up and tried to remount my bike but it was covered in mud, wouldn’t start and the handle bar was bent in.“I finally got it to start and joined back in to finish fourth. I still had four races to go but it was starting to get foggy and the visibility was really poor. I was cold, wet and my bike was damaged and needed repair so I decided to call it a day.”DeCouto, who has a plethora of podium finishes already under his belt this season, was unhurt in the mishap.“The track was so wet I just slid forever,” he joked.