— Lowes wins 2013 BSB Championship; Brookes dominates Brands Hatch Finale
Saturday race one:
1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.968s
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +5.709s
4: Josh Waters (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +16.821s
5: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +22.890s
6: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +24.345s
Sunday race two:
1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
2: Lee Costello (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +0.196s
3: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.728s
4: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +9.127s
5: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +16.826s
6: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +17.198s
Sunday race three:
1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +1.185s
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.587s
4: Tommy Bridewell (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +4.869s
5: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +13.521s
6: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +16.282s
Championship final standings:
1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 643
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 636
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 621
4: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 589
5: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 564
6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 522
Report
Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes has became the youngest MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title winner after he fended off the threat of three times champion Shane Byrne in a final race epic showdown to be crowned 2013 champion at Brands Hatch.
They had duelled intensely for much of the final title-deciding race for second place, knowing that whoever crossed the line first between them would take the crown while some distance in front, Aussie Josh Brookes was completing a hat-trick of victories aboard his Tyco Suzuki.
The dramatic ending to the 2013 season was set after Saturday’s race when Lowes took second for Samsung Honda ahead of Byrne on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki to grab a three points advantage in the title stakes.
In a dramatic second race both Lowes and Byrne crashed in the wet conditions setting up a winner takes all finale. Lowes had a third row start, Byrne was back on the eighth row, but they were soon in the front running mix after carving their way through the pack.
Brookes hit the front and was never challenged as he made it a hat trick of victories, but adrift of him the duel for the crown was developing. Lowes was third from Byrne on the fifth lap. Next time round Lowes was second from Byrne and on the sixth lap Byrne had taken the edge in a constant battle for the title. Lowes was determined though and he upped the pace, making a decisive move at Surtees with five laps to go.
Lowes had the second place and the points he needed to take the crown by seven points and he said: “It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane as closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see.
“It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass that guy if I wanted the title and I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title and to me that really is incredible, always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. I couldn’t have my brother have a title and not me too this year!”
Byrne said: “It was a pity that it was decided in sketchy conditions but it has been a fantastic year which has made me realise how much I enjoy this championship. I gave my all in that race, didn’t realised that I was running second, then thought that’s enough, but Alex came back at me and took me. I tried to stay with him but I pushed a bit too hard into Druids on the last lap and lost a bit.”
— PBM Report
With a script Hollywood film makers would have been proud of, the 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship went right down to the very last lap of the very last race but for 2012 Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne there was heartbreak for both him and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team as he missed out on a record-breaking fourth MCE BSB title by just seven points.
The triple MCE BSB champion came into the triple header weekend at Brands Hatch with a single point lead but with wet weather conditions prevailing, fortunes for both 36-year-old Londoner Shakey and main rival Alex Lowes fluctuated throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s first race was held in damp weather conditions and with Josh Brookes winning the race, it was Lowes who came out on top for the battle for second with Shakey having to settle for third aboard the Rapid Solicitors and Minxflix-sponsored Kawasaki ZX-10R.
That gave Lowes a three-point lead going into today’s two races but with steady rain falling, the opening race became a lottery with the Honda rider crashing out on the second corner. However, Shakey’s hopes were also soon dashed as he crashed out at the same corner on the fifth lap. So, it all came down to a final race shoot-out and Shakey knew he needed to beat Lowes to stand any chance of retaining the crown.
With heavy rain drenching the track surface adding to the drama, Shakey’s cause wasn’t aided by having to start from 22nd on the grid, the legacy of the earlier crash, but in true champion’s style he was up inside the top ten as early as the second lap. By the fifth lap he was on the rear wheel of Lowes and grabbed second place two laps later meaning the result that would have seen him crowned champion once more. However, Lowes fought back on the 16th of 20 laps and wasn’t to be denied his maiden title leaving Shakey to settle for third in the race and second in the championship for Paul Bird’s Penrith based team.
Team-mate Noriyuki Haga found the going tough in the tricky conditions and after taking 11th in Saturday’s opening race, he crashed out of sixth place at Clearways on the third lap of the second race. That just left the final race of the 2013 season, which again took place on a wet track, and the Japanese rider was sadly an early retirement on the sixth lap.
Shane Byrne: “It’s a shame the final round was affected so much by the difficult conditions otherwise I think it could have been even more exciting but I gave it my all right up until the very end. I had no idea I was in second in the last race as I couldn’t see anyone ahead but when I saw P2 on my board I knew that position would be enough. I just tried to concentrate and stay smooth but I knew Alex would have a go and when he did I had to fight back straightaway otherwise it would be over. Sure enough, he came by but we were having so many moments out there I just couldn’t get him back. I made a mistake and ran wide a couple of times on the last lap but Alex put it on the line and became champion and it’s been a pleasure to race with him all year long. Obviously, it’s disappointing not to have retained the title but it’s been one of the most enjoyable seasons of racing I’ve ever had. It’s tough to see the title disappear but a few things have happened this year that have made me realise how much I enjoy doing what I do and I can put my hand on my heart and say I gave it my all.”
Noriyuki Haga: “It’s been a very difficult weekend and not how I wanted to repay the faith shown in me by Paul Bird and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team at the final round. Conditions were really difficult and it was difficult to find grip. A crash in qualifying obviously affected me and falling again in the second race made it even harder. I’ve enjoyed being back in the MCE British Superbike Championship and would like to thank the whole team for the opportunity and all their hard work. I’m just sorry I couldn’t have given them better results this weekend.”
Stuart Bland, Team Co-ordinator: “Twelve months ago it was us celebrating the title at Brands Hatch but this time it was Alex’s turn so we congratulate him. We gave it our best shot and it wasn’t to be but it might have been a different story if Shakey hadn’t crashed out in race two as those points could have been vital. That’s what probably cost us the chance of retaining the title and we are naturally disappointed as the whole team has put so much effort in.”
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team ended their season with a podium finish at Brands Hatch as James Ellison overcame his disappointment of race one to claim a third place in the second race of the weekend whilst Tommy Bridewell claimed a fourth place in the final race.
In the second race of the weekend Ellison got a flying start and carved his way up the order to hit the front of the pack, but as the conditions changed he was passed in the closing stages by Lee Costello and Josh Brookes who claimed the win. Bridewell had slid out of contention in the challenging conditions at Druids, but fought back to in the final race of the season to claim a fighting fourth place ahead of team-mate James Ellison.
Ellison said: “A podium was what we were going for but qualifying where we did I thought it would be an uphill battle today, but I had a good line for the first few corners and it seemed to work out and then I found myself in the lead and I thought ‘that will do’. I pushed so hard and full credit to all of them on the podium as there was nothing more I could squeeze out. We couldn’t quite do it in the final race but I want to thank the Milwaukee Yamaha team for their hard work this season.”
Bridewell said: “It was a difficult day and it was tough with the conditions and I just spun it out in the first race today on a wet patch. The last race I started quite far back and the bike felt unbelievable. I followed Shakey through the pack and I honestly thought about having a go and it was a big decision but I decided to let them decide the championship and not get involved. I think one hundred percent we could have been on the podium but I am happy to have ended the season strongly and I need to thank Milwaukee Yamaha.”
Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It is a shame the Showdown didn’t work out for us and our challenge petered out because the deficit was too much to close here and it wasn’t meant to be for James. In respect of Tommy he worked hard all weekend and was on the back foot with the conditions but he ground on throughout. He took a sensible view in race two not to get involved with the title fight but it was a great end to the season. Big congratulations have to go to Alex Lowes and Samsung Honda for the title win and I also want to thank Milwaukee and all of our partners for this season. Let’s hope the winter goes quickly!”
— Smiths Triumph Report
The Smiths Triumph Racing Team ended their 2013 Motorpoint British Supersport Championship on a solid note at Brands Hatch over the weekend as both Billy McConnell and Glen Richards each took a best finish of fourth place aboard their respective Smiths Triumph 675R machines.
With unpredictable weather all weekend, Saturday’s wet qualifying session saw both riders in fine form and Billy and Glen lined up in second and third respectively for the 10-lap Sprint race. In damp and tricky conditions, the Australian pairing found themselves running inside the top four for the majority of the race but towards the end, they were pushed back by the charging Alastair Seeley and Luke Jones. With second to sixth split by just three seconds, Billy clung on to fourth with Glen back in sixth.
Sunday’s longer 15-lap Feature race saw equally treacherous conditions as a rain shower just before the start made tyre choice a lottery but Billy’s race ended on the fifth lap when he crashed out after being forced to take avoiding action at Druids to miss Jones who had crashed. That just left Glen to fly the flag in his final race for the team and he was in contention for the race win throughout. Positions were changing all the time but with heavy rain falling just after two thirds race distance, the race was stopped early with Glen in fourth, thus denying him a fairytale final podium finish.
The weekend’s results meant that Billy hung on to his third place overall in the championship with outgoing champion Glen closing out his illustrious career in eighth.
Billy McConnell: “It’s been a frustrating weekend where you only needed to be off line a fraction to be in trouble. I got a decent result on Saturday but not really what I was looking for so I was keen to make amends in the longer race. When Luke went down in front of me I had to take avoiding action, running wide onto the damp part of the circuit, and I was down before I knew it. It’s disappointing to end the season with a crash but I have finished third overall in the championship again and am happy to be staying with the Smiths team again next year so we’ll come back fighting in 2014.”
Glen Richards: “I would’ve loved to have finished on the podium in my final race but I didn’t want to get involved with the championship battle between Stuart and Alastair so was content to stay at the back of the group. It’s been a tough weekend all round with the weather conditions being what they’ve been and obviously it’s been a tough season, firstly developing the new bike and then suffering with injury which affected me for a few rounds. However, it’s been nice to end competitively and run at the sharp end in both races so a big thank you to the team for two excellent years and congratulations to Stuart on winning this year’s championship.”
Rebecca Smith: “It’s difficult to know what to say, it’s been one of those up and down seasons with highs and lows along the way. This weekend has obviously seen a bit of emotion in the garage with Glen announcing his retirement but he’s proved all weekend that he’s still extremely competitive and more than capable of winning races so he could well be questioning his decision to retire already! I felt for Billy as he rode hard all weekend but he took a good third in the championship and we’re all geared up and ready for 2014 already. He’s got the title firmly in his sights and with a good winter testing programme already in place, with Billy and new signing Graeme Gowland we’re confident we’ll have two riders contesting the championship all season long.”
— Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race 1 – 10 laps
1 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
2 Alastair Seeley (Kawasaki)
3 Luke Jones (Triumph)
4 Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph)
5 Jason O’Halloran (Honda)
6 Glen Richards (Smiths Racing Triumph)
— Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race 2 – 10 laps
1 Stuart Easton (Yamaha)
2 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
3 Alastair Seeley (Kawasaki)
4 Glen Richards (Smiths Racing Triumph)
5 Glenn Irwin (Yamaha)
6 Danny Buchan (Yamaha)
DNF Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph)
— Final Championship standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Easton 422pts
2 Seeley 409
3 McConnell 327
4 Wilson 303
5 Gowland 245
6 O’Halloran 211
8 Richards 186
–– Gearlink Kawasaki
It was a hugely emotional weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team at the final round of the Motorsport British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch. Alastair Seeley rode his heart out despite coming to Brands Hatch with a 19 point deficit. He rode a stunning first race and finished second and went into the main race on Sunday four points behind Easton. In a dramatic final race of the season once again the Gearlink Kawasaki team were forced to take the runner-up spot in the overall Championship after the race was cut short and Alastair was awarded third place.
It was a mixed weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team as fellow Supersport rider Ben Wilson had a huge crash on Saturday morning during the qualifying session. This fractured his lower leg/upper ankle and he was declared unfit to ride in either British Supersport race.
Alastair knew he had his work cut out but he was eager to try and salvage something from Brands Hatch. The rain fell heavily on Saturday for qualifying and he ended up in sixth place on the grid, he got a great start and worked his way through the pack to take a solid second place. Setting the fastest lap in the race he was sat in pole position for race two on Sunday, after the opening lap the rain came down and the race was red flagged. The race was then declared wet and shortened; Alastair got another good start but was pushed wide on the back section of the track forcing him back to fourth at the end of the opening lap. He managed to re-group and get his head down making his way back through to the front. Meanwhile Easton was making a charge through the pack and it was not long before the pair were fighting for the lead as they have all season. Easton made a pass to the front and Alastair dropped to third, the race was red flagged due to a big crash into Paddock Hill and the Championship was decided.
Alastair Seeley – “Well to say I’m gutted is an understatement. It’s been such a rollercoaster year and the crash and injuries I sustained at Cadwell were what put a huge hindrance on my season and I’ve ended up second. I couldn’t have finished second to a better and worthy Champion, we’ve had some fantastic battles over the season and it’s been an enjoyable year just with the end result not what I was hoping. I finished this race smiling knowing that I had tried my best, my laps this year at every track were always consistently fast and that’s a testament to the Gearlink Kawasaki team. They have worked so hard all year and with it being a new team for me to do what we have is a great achievement, I fitted in well from the start and everyone has worked so hard all season to help me win. It was difficult this weekend with the changing weather conditions as I wanted to push hard but not beyond the limit where I wouldn’t finish, the track was really greasy and the conditions made things much worse. I tried hard this weekend and did everything I could to try and win the Championship and fair play and congratulations to Stuart Easton for winning it. Thank you to everyone who have supported me this season, my sponsors, my family, mechanics, girlfriend and the entire Gearlink Team, it’s been great just unfortunate not to take the Championship win.”
Ben Wilson – “I’m totally devastated to have to end the season in the medical centre, I was keen to end the season on a high note but it just wasn’t to be. I was just caught out on a wet part of the track and that was me down but I went into the barrier at a quick part of the circuit. It hurt as soon as I got up and the medics x-rayed me in the medical centre and that was my season over. I’m sorry to everyone this isn’t the way I wanted the season to end and thank you to everyone who has stood by me over this season and hopefully I’ll be back fully fit to race again next year.”
Pirelli National Superstock 600s
It was a totally different story in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class as Luke Hedger became the 2013 Superstock 600 Champion in his first season in the Championship after becoming 2012 British Motostar Champion. Luke was fired up for the weekend and the super talented youngster proved his worth and rode an extremely mature race not getting involved in any situations and bringing the Gearlink Kawasaki home in eighth place but taking the Championship win by 16 points. His team-mate Mark Wilkinson struggled in the wet conditions and finished in 21st place.
Luke Hedger – “I’m absolutely over the moon with the Championship win, to move up to the Superstock 600 class this year from the Motostar class was a big jump and it took me a while to adjust to the new riding style to suit the 600. I couldn’t have done this without the help and support this year from Michael and Norma and all the Gearlink Kawasaki team they have been unbelievable and I couldn’t ask more from a team. All season I have just settled in more and more and the wins started to come and I started creeping up the Championship table and that’s when I started to think that it might just be possible if I could remain consistent to win the series. I’ve worked hard all year and really wanted to do well; to win the Championship is just brilliant I’m so pleased for everyone involved. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me this season, all my personal sponsors, my team, my girlfriend and especially my Mum and Dad.”
Mark Wilkinson – “That was my first race on the Kawasaki in the wet and I got a good start but made a few mistakes on the first lap and lost a lot of places. I was stuck in a group and with the conditions being so bad it was hard to make any moves. I’ve managed to score points in every round this year and would have been nice to finish the season in the points but it just wasn’t to be. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Gearlink Kawasaki team for making me feel at home and welcoming me into their team like they did. Also to everyone back home in Australia for their support it’s much appreciated. Roll on 2014.”
Team Manager Michael de Bidaph – “What can I say? I’m massively disappointed not to have won the Supersport Championship again. Alastair could not have done any more this weekend and it was taken away from us with a red flag situation. However, this year has been a fantastic year, we as a team, have constantly been at the front at all the races this year and Ben and Alastair are a credit to this team and we have taken so much from it. We will back again next year to try again and one day we will win that Supersport Championship. The Gearlink Kawasaki team would like to wish Ben a speedy recovery.
Luke was superb; he did everything he had to do today to win the Superstock 600 Championship. He rode a very mature race and did not do anything stupid, we’re all really pleased with his Championship title and he took away some of the disappointment from the Supersport result.
Mark made a few mistakes in the opening laps but he has never ridden the bike in a wet race before and up to now he has been in the points at every race. He’s been an absolute delight to have him in our team; he fitted in really well and rode very hard and always willing to learn.
I must say a huge thank you to all our very loyal sponsors, especially Kawasaki Motors UK, all our product sponsors and we are just sorry we were unable to repay you with the Supersport Championship but we will keep trying.”
— Brookes takes out Brands Hatch opener; Waters takes fourth; Lowes edges ahead of Byrne in Title Hunt
British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 1:
1. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
2. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.968s
3. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +5.709s 
4. Josh Waters (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +16.821s
5. PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +22.890s
6. Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +24.345s
7. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +25.538s
8. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +27.731s
9. Lee Costello (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +29.917s
10. Michael Rutter (Bathams Honda) +30.394s
British Superbike Championship Standings (after Brands Hatch Race 1):
1. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 623
2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 620
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 571
4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 562
5. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 542
6. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 522
Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes mastered the changing conditions to claim his third race win of the season in the opening race at Brands Hatch, but the leading title contenders have switched places as Alex Lowes snatched second place from Shane Byrne in the race to now have a three point lead in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings.
Lowes’ late burst of speed on the Samsung Honda not only gave him the crucial edge going into Sunday’s double race Showdown for the crown and also the psychological boost of taking pole start over the three times winner of the title Byrne.
Brookes had earlier celebrated his first pole start of the season and the Tyco Suzuki rider set a commanding pace to lead at one point by four seconds, but over the tense final laps his advantage was dramatically cut but by Lowes who reeled him in.
Lowes had ridden a hard race and charged through from sixth place on the opening lap to be running third to the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki of Byrne over the early laps, before making a decisive move into Surtees at three quarters distance. The Samsung Honda rider then put in his fastest laps of the race in his vain pursuit of Brookes.
Lowes said: “I was a bit concerned that I could not afford to crash but I came through to be running just behind Shane and then went past him and as the track began to dry my bike felt better. There were a few times when I had a couple of slides and didn’t want to lose everything but it’s good to go into the final day leading the championship and to have pole for race two. I will be giving everything to win. One thing is for sure; I will be crying or smiling tomorrow!”
Byrne was happy enough to have taken a safe haul of points. The defending champion said: “I made a pretty good start but Josh had gone at the front and there was no staying with him. I had a good pace and when Alex came past me I thought about getting him back, but then thought I can’t afford to give away these 16 points with a crash as that is not recoverable. Now there is all to fight for, and I just hope the races are in the dry.”
Josh Waters took his best result of the season with a fourth place for Halsall Kawasaki, ahead of PJ Jacobsen’s Tyco Suzuki and Tommy Bridewell whose sixth place was some consolation for the Milwaukee Yamaha team as their other rider James Ellison saw his title dreams ended when a visor problem forced him out of the race.
— Suzuki Report
Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes turned his first season Pole Position into a race victory at Brands Hatch in Kent today during the penultimate day of racing of the 2013 British Superbike Championship, as team-mate PJ Jacobsen finished fifth in the opening race of three this weekend.
Brookes, who led from start-to-finish on his GSX-R1000 Superbike to take his third win of the season, said: “It’s a bit of an anti-climax as not being part of the championship-hunt now is disappointing and I don’t take the same pleasure from a wet race win as I do with a dry one. But in saying that, it’s a good time of year to be winning for the sponsors and the team. We still have two more races to come tomorrow, but yeah it’s a good win for Tyco Suzuki.”
Jacobsen said: “It was a really good fifth place in the end after a bad start. Going into turn-one I just eased-up and a couple of people passed me, then I got held up and didn’t get away with Waters and that group. It’s another good top-five and we will try to improve tomorrow.”
Team Manager Philip Neill said: “We came here with the least amount of pressure in terms of the championship. We are here to give this weekend our all, but also to enjoy the experience and that’s exactly what we did today. It’s no secret that the package of the Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Josh Brookes are seriously-competitive in damp conditions. Once again that proved to be the case, taking pole position, followed by a dominant start-to-finish race win.
“For PJ it was another example of the progression he continues to make in his rookie season on a Superbike. As a young rider who doesn’t carry significant experience with wet-weather riding, his fifth-place was a fine result and another positive indication of the strength of the GSX-R package.”
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team are preparing to fight back in the final two races of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch tomorrow (Sunday) following a challenging opening race with James Ellison forced to retire and Tommy Bridewell missing out on a podium finish despite a hard fought ride.
Bridewell and Ellison had started fourteenth and sixteenth on the grid respectively and both were determined to make amends in the opening race. The pair had both started to carve their way through the order but Ellison was soon suffering with his visor misting up and despite persevering for several laps he was later forced to retire. Bridewell continued to fly the flag for the Milwaukee Yamaha team and he had worked his way through to sixth at the chequered flag. Bridewell and Ellison will start tomorrow’s second race from eighth and sixteenth on the grid respectively.
Ellison said: “I am so disappointed with the outcome today and I feel gutted for the team. Qualifying wasn’t the best for us and then in the race I felt we could move up the order. I got a really good start and then I don’t know whether I got water inside it with the spray we had to start with, but my visor just misted up and my vision got increasingly worse. I couldn’t see the apex or my braking markers and then it became a case of dropping steady backwards. I had a few moments and I was trying to carry on but once I had dropped out of the points I decided to come in because I wasn’t going to move up the order and I just risked crashing. We obviously need to look at getting the problem sorted and I know we have to start from the sixth row tomorrow but I want to turn the frustration of today into results now in the final two races.”
Bridewell said: “Today has been a mix really. We didn’t have a great setting this morning and so we decided to make some drastic changes for the race which could have gone either way but when it came to the race I was much happier and felt more comfortable. I lost about seven seconds at the start as the lead group obviously got away and I tried to move myself forward, but I worked hard and I managed to go from fourteenth to sixth so I am pretty happy with that really. I am obviously disappointed that we couldn’t be on the podium today but we have another two races tomorrow to have another go at it.”
— Byrne sets pace at BSB Finale
Free practice one:
1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 1m:37.807s
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.153s
3: Freddy Foray (Samsung Honda) +1.745s
4: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +2.848s
5: Michael Rutter (Bathams Honda) +3.388s
6: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +4.175s
Free practice two:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:25.959s
2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.395s
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.689s
4: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +0.839s
5: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.684s
6: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +1.691s
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne kicked off the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship by showing title rival Alex Lowes that he means business as the defending champion topped the free practice times at his home circuit of Brands Hatch.
The two go head-to-head for the country’s premier crown with Byrne leading by a single point in the title stakes after an evenly matched campaign which continued into free practice as they each topped a free practice session at the Kent circuit today.
Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne put together a series of consistent laps in the afternoon session as he toppled his Samsung Honda rival from the top after he had set the pace in the morning damp opening practice.
Byrne, still suffering pain from the hip injury sustained in the previous round at Silverstone, said: “I know that we can improve the bike further as well as myself. I am riding in the protection zone at the moment but I know that I can push on a bit harder when I have to.”
Byrne’s team were working on the bike while he was having treatment from his osteopath to be in good shape for the first of the three races tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon when he faces again the ever present threat of the confident Lowes.
The action between them has been electrifying and Lowes is ready for another close trio of races following a photo finish last time out. He said: “I am feeling pretty good and ready. We have used a totally different set-up compared to the previous time we raced here and it is good to be right up
there with still more to come.”
They have a winner takes all scenario but cannot take anything for granted with title outsider Josh Brookes closing in on them aboard the Tyco Suzuki to be third fastest today although Milwaukee Yamaha’s Title Fighter James Ellison has work to do having set only the seventh best time.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team kicked off the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch today (Friday) with James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell ending the opening free practice sessions in seventh and eighth respectively.
The first session was held in damp conditions and Ellison went out and completed a single lap before watching from the garage for the remainder of the session alongside team-mate Bridewell. However the conditions improved for the second free practice this afternoon and Ellison and Bridewell both had their chance to tackle the Grand Prix circuit in the dry. Ellison and Bridewell may have finished seventh and eighth on the timesheets but the pair are both confident that they will be ready to challenge for the podium
in the opening race tomorrow ahead of Sunday’s further two races.
Ellison said: “Today has been a bit of an average day and with the mixed conditions this morning it just didn’t work out for us but this afternoon it was a bit better. We found something to improve this afternoon but on my best lap of the session I had to scrap it because of traffic, so we know we have more in reserve. It obviously would be nice to be further up the order at the end of today but I am not worried and we will try and make sure we are not disappointed in the first race tomorrow.”
Bridewell said: “Today I was happy with the way it went because realistically everyone else has been here once this year so I was a meeting behind. We missed this morning because of the weather and then this afternoon we just got on with the job and although we are a bit off Shakey and Alex at the top of the times, we are definitely in a good place. We know that tomorrow we can find some more and then hopefully we can have a go for those podiums.”– Byrne sets pace at BSB Finale
Free practice one:
1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 1m:37.807s
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.153s
3: Freddy Foray (Samsung Honda) +1.745s
4: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +2.848s
5: Michael Rutter (Bathams Honda) +3.388s
6: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +4.175s
Free practice two:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:25.959s
2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.395s
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.689s
4: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +0.839s
5: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.684s
6: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +1.691s
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne kicked off the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship by showing title rival Alex Lowes that he means business as the defending champion topped the free practice times at his home circuit of Brands Hatch.
The two go head-to-head for the country’s premier crown with Byrne leading by a single point in the title stakes after an evenly matched campaign which continued into free practice as they each topped a free practice session at the Kent circuit today.
Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne put together a series of consistent laps in the afternoon session as he toppled his Samsung Honda rival from the top after he had set the pace in the morning damp opening practice.
Byrne, still suffering pain from the hip injury sustained in the previous round at Silverstone, said: “I know that we can improve the bike further as well as myself. I am riding in the protection zone at the moment but I know that I can push on a bit harder when I have to.”
Byrne’s team were working on the bike while he was having treatment from his osteopath to be in good shape for the first of the three races tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon when he faces again the ever present threat of the confident Lowes.
The action between them has been electrifying and Lowes is ready for another close trio of races following a photo finish last time out. He said: “I am feeling pretty good and ready. We have used a totally different set-up compared to the previous time we raced here and it is good to be right up there with still more to come.”
They have a winner takes all scenario but cannot take anything for granted with title outsider Josh Brookes closing in on them aboard the Tyco Suzuki to be third fastest today although Milwaukee Yamaha’s Title Fighter James Ellison has work to do having set only the seventh best time.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team kicked off the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch today (Friday) with James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell ending the opening free practice sessions in seventh and eighth respectively.
The first session was held in damp conditions and Ellison went out and completed a single lap before watching from the garage for the remainder of the session alongside team-mate Bridewell. However the conditions improved for the second free practice this afternoon and Ellison and Bridewell both had their chance to tackle the Grand Prix circuit in the dry. Ellison and Bridewell may have finished seventh and eighth on the timesheets but the pair are both confident that they will be ready to challenge for the podium in the opening race tomorrow ahead of Sunday’s further two races.
Ellison said: “Today has been a bit of an average day and with the mixed conditions this morning it just didn’t work out for us but this afternoon it was a bit better. We found something to improve this afternoon but on my best lap of the session I had to scrap it because of traffic, so we know we have more in reserve. It obviously would be nice to be further up the order at the end of today but I am not worried and we will try and make sure we are not disappointed in the first race tomorrow.”
Bridewell said: “Today I was happy with the way it went because realistically everyone else has been here once this year so I was a meeting behind. We missed this morning because of the weather and then this afternoon we just got on with the job and although we are a bit off Shakey and Alex at the top of the times, we are definitely in a good place. We know that tomorrow we can find some more and then hopefully we can have a go for those podiums.”
— BSB Title Decider looms
A single point separates Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Alex Lowes ahead of the final three races of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend (18/19/20 October) as the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit is set to host another exhilarating title-deciding finale.
Byrne returns to his home circuit targeting a record-breaking fourth MCE BSB crown after a heroic ride at Silverstone when a huge free practice crash left him on crutches and battling the pain. Young gun Lowes has been his nemesis throughout the season – the pair have been virtually inseparable and last time out at Silverstone they shared the wins as race two was decided by 0.012 seconds and a photo finish!
Byrne said: “I am feeling a lot better now than I was straight after Silverstone. I have had more physio and been back in training so I am in the best possible shape ready for Brands Hatch. Two big crashes within two weekends unfortunately have left me a bit battle scarred but I’m ready to come out fighting that’s for sure; we certainly never came this far to give up now! I think the final round will be similar to the rest as it has been so close between myself and Alex but hopefully I get the balance in my direction at Brands Hatch! We have had some great battles and with only one point between us we both know that we need to beat each other. To be honest no words can describe what winning the title again would mean to me because it is worth far more than I can say. I will be giving everything.”
Lowes said: “I am feeling good ahead of Brands Hatch; all season we have worked so hard to be in this position for the final round and we have as good a chance of winning as anyone. It has been a great season and we have had some awesome races but we need to win again at Brands Hatch because that is going to decide the championship. We have all had a really good season and we have had great competition between us – myself, Shakey plus James and Josh and I am sure they will all be strong again this weekend. I have everything in place to do the job and it is now down to me.”
Byrne and Lowes head the title chase by 42 points from third placed James Ellison but a wrong move from the leading pair could see Milwaukee Yamaha’s Ellison or Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes snatch the advantage at the crucial stages of the 2013 season.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Preview
The Milwaukee Yamaha team return to Brands Hatch in Kent this weekend for the final round of the 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with James Ellison still mathematically in the hunt for the title and team-mate Tommy Bridewell aiming to add to his tally of podium finishes.
Ellison is 42 points adrift of standings leader Shane Byrne but knows that with a maximum of 75 points still available from the triple-header weekend he could still elevate himself higher than third in the standings. Ellison was victorious at the circuit on the Indy configuration at the start of the season and was on the podium back in August so has high hopes ahead of the season finale. On the opposite side of the garage Bridewell has scored three podium finishes from four races after joining the team at Assen and is fully focused on carrying that momentum into the last three races of the season.
Ellison said: “At Brands Hatch there is only one thing we can do and that is to go out and win all three races. The lead might have stretched in the points but I haven’t given up on the title yet because as we saw at Assen in this championship anything can happen and it usually does during the Showdown! I will be pushing hard all weekend because we can do nothing more than try and score those three race wins and there is no reason why we can’t do that. I feel happy ahead of Brands Hatch as we have had some strong races there already this season and we will do everything we can. I have been working harder than ever on my training as they are going to be three long, hard races but we will be ready.”
Bridewell said: “I am obviously looking forward to it as it could be an even better round for us after Assen and Silverstone. We have the potential for another good result and all credit has to go to the team because I have been able to adapt so fast to the Yamaha and have been able to deliver those podiums because of their experience and hard work. I am going to Brands Hatch desperately hoping I can get my maiden race win or at least podiums and I will be pushing as hard as possible to make that happen. My goal is always to do the best job I can and the beauty here is that I am not part of the championship in terms of having a title to lose so there will be no rolling off at Brands Hatch.”
— Samsung Honda Preview
Samsung Honda is preparing for the final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend as Alex Lowes bids to secure his maiden title and the fourth BSB crown for the team.
Lowes arrives at the final round just one point adrift of standings leader Shane Byrne and having won two of the four Showdown races, he is feeling confident ahead of the triple-header event. Frenchman Freddy Foray will join Lowes at the season finale, competing once again as a replacement for Ryuichi Kiyonari, who is recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in a training accident.
In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Jason O’Halloran is determined to make amends after a double non-point score at Silverstone, despite proving he had the pace to challenge for the team’s first win of the season.
Alex Lowes – I’m feeling good heading to Brands Hatch. I’m sure I’ll be nervous come the races because that’s just normal, but all season we’ve worked so hard to be in this position for the final round and we have as good a chance of winning as anyone. We need to win races at Brands Hatch because that’s going to decide the championship. I have everything in place to do the job now and it’s down to me.
Freddy Foray – I know an injury is always difficult for a rider, so I wish Kiyo all the best. I’m pleased to be back with Samsung Honda in BSB again this weekend and I hope we have a very good finale. I’m looking forward to working with all the team again because now I know the bike better I’m going to enjoy it more and we have three chances in the three races.
Jason O’Halloran – I can’t believe it is the final round already but I’m looking forward to the two races this weekend. I had two fifths when we raced on the Grand Prix circuit earlier in the season but we’ve improved a lot since then and we’ve definitely closed on the lead group and have been consistently pushing for podiums. Silverstone was disappointing and we were in contention for the wins so hopefully we can achieve that at Brands Hatch this weekend because we have worked hard for it!
Havier Beltran – team manager – Brands Hatch is going to be a big weekend for the Samsung Honda team and like Alex said, we have been working hard all season to be in this position to fight for the title. Alex has continued to carry that momentum throughout the Showdown but we all know that we have to maintain that level of performance and beat Shane Byrne if we are going to win the title. We are disappointed that Kiyo in unable to return this weekend but we have Freddy back for a second event and having improved throughout the Silverstone round, we expect to see more from him this weekend. In the Supersport class Jason was desperately unlucky at Silverstone but we have put that behind us and intend on finishing the season on a high.
Championship standings:
1:Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 604
2:Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 603
3:James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 562
4:Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 546
5:James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 534
6:Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 522
— — BSB Supersport Title to be decided this weekend at Brands Hatch
The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship goes down to the wire at the season finale at Brands Hatch after last weekend’s penultimate round at Silverstone and Stuart Easton holds a 19 point advantage despite crashing out of the first race of the weekend.
Easton and Seeley have been pushing each other all season for the title and in the Sprint race on Saturday the Martrain Yamaha rider crashed out on the opening lap which gave his Gearlink Kawasaki rider the chance to close the deficit. Seeley won the race following a dramatic scrap with Billy McConnell on the Smiths Racing Triumph and Techcare Profile Triumph’s Luke Mossey.
Seeley aimed to do the double as Easton ran further down the order and at the front the Gearlink Kawasaki rider was tussling in the lead pack of Mossey, McConnell and Jason O’Halloran. However an incident on the eleventh lap between Seeley and O’Halloran as he attempted to make a pass left the Samsung Honda rider crashing out of the race. The incident was reviewed after the race and despite Seeley finishing on the podium he was handed a ten second time penalty, which dropped him to tenth. Mossey had already claimed his first win of the season for the Techcare Profile Triumph team ahead of McConnell.
Easton who leads going into the double-header finale, said: “It was a tough weekend and what happened on Saturday was my fault. The team gave me a great bike as usual and my plan was to get the front and drop the hammer, which I did do. Unfortunately, I think probably a cold tyre, combined with the slightly colder conditions caught me out. We picked ourselves up overnight and went into the race, but having lost all the data yesterday I struggled on a couple of corners, but the bike was fast as usual. It managed to keep me in the fight and we go to Brands Hatch with all to play for.”
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Feature race result:
1. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki)
2. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) +0.570s
3. Luke Mossey (Techcare Profile Triumph) +0.676s
4. Glen Richards (Smiths Racing Triumph) +4.134s
5. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +9.480s
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Feature race result:
1. Luke Mossey (Techcare Profile Triumph)
2. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) +0.140s
3. Stuart Easton (Martrain Yamaha) +2.247s
4. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +2.607s
5. Graeme Gowland (Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha) +2.657s
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings after Silverstone:
1. Stuart Easton (Martrain Yamaha) 392
2. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) 373
3. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) 314
4. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 303
5. Graeme Gowland (Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha) 237
— Byrne leads by one point after Silverstone Showdown
Shane Byrne pulled off one of the most remarkable victories in his career to maintain his single point advantage over Alex Lowes in the chase for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in a dramatic penultimate round at Silverstone.
The three times winner of the country’s premier crown could only walk with the aid of crutches after high-siding off his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and slamming down heavily on the Luffield section of the Northamptonshire circuit, painfully bashing his right hip during Saturday’s free practice.
Lengthy physio and pain-killers had Byrne back on track to face the challenge of Lowes who was brimming with confidence after powering his Samsung Honda to his seventh pole position but as the adrenalin kicked in, Byrne was full of fight in two frantic encounters which both were decided on the last corner.
Lowes grabbed the first by 0.094 seconds and looked to have done just enough to complete the double but Byrne had other ideas and shrugged aside the pain to snatch the advantage in the last corner and then win the dash to the line by 0.012secs in a photo finish.
Byrne said: “I’m just ecstatic to have that win – I thought I had a plan for the race but we both upped the pace and it came down to the last lap and I wasn’t sure if I could get him. I got a run on him and he started a little bit wide into the last corner and I got the drive and just did it – I was thinking of a strong second but then the red mist came down and I went for it.
“In the first race I made a pass on Alex then made a bit of mistake, running a bit too fast into a corner as I got a bit too excited and we were both on the limit. It was amazing, my front wheel was on top of the kerb, it was so close I thought we would touch, so I rolled it off a bit and he got me,” he added.
Lowes who now counts down to the Brands Hatch season finale said: “You don’t race to come second, but having said that you have to take your hat off to him for him for doing what he did, and races like that are what you live for. There were some epic battles today that I really enjoyed. There was no way I could get rid of Shakey.”
Tommy Bridewell took third place in each of the races aboard his Milwaukee Yamaha with his Title Fighter team-mate James Ellison taking a fighting fifth in the opener, carving through from the sixth row of the grid after a qualifying crash. Ellison then overcame a huge moment in race two when he saved a high-side and was off the seat but holding on before remounting at speed to salvage fourth place. He remained third in the standings ahead of Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes who was sidelined by a machine issue in the first race but fifth next time out ahead of the triple-header decider at Brands Hatch.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team returned to the podium at Silverstone today at the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as Tommy Bridewell claimed a pair of third places whilst James Ellison scored a fifth and a fourth place.
In the opening race of the day Bridewell fought his way up to third over the opening laps, passing the Tyco Suzuki pairing of Josh Brookes and PJ Jacobsen. Bridewell then aimed to close the gap to the lead pair and claiming third place. Ellison charged through from his sixth row start to make up nine places on the opening lap, continuing to move up the order to score a fifth place.
Race two was another strong performance from Bridewell as he scored his best performance in the championship with his first double podium finish with another strong third place finish, breaking away from the pack. Ellison had been in close contention with his team-mate until he suffered a huge moment on the seventh lap; he saved a huge high-side by holding onto the bike despite being completely out of the seat and off to the side of the Milwaukee Yamaha. The moment dropped Ellison back off the pack but he closed back to claim fourth place.
Ellison said: “I am still annoyed with myself here as it should have been more here this weekend. The first race we were on the back foot because of qualifying and it started well; I passed nine people on the first lap but we had made a tiny change and the bike wasn’t handling the same as it was when we did our best lap in free practice three. We thought it would have helped and fifth was the best we could. I didn’t get a great start in race two but was then up behind the Tyco Suzuki boys and I was desperate to get passed. I took a big handful of throttle at Vale and before I knew it I was looking at the sky! I thought just don’t touch the floor and I just kept the throttle open and was lucky enough to get on – those sit ups in the gym and the core strength paid off! I certainly haven’t given up on the title yet because there are still three race wins to be had at Brands Hatch.”
Bridewell said: “The first race was a bit messy to begin with and I didn’t get the start I needed but after a few laps I managed to get behind Josh and PJ and it turned into a good race. I enjoyed it a lot, I was sat behind PJ for a lot of laps and I knew I had to pass him, but I just couldn’t and when I did I then couldn’t lose him which was great. The second race was difficult as I got behind Josh and PJ at the start again and I knew I had the pace to run with Alex and Shakey so I needed to get passed them fast. By the time I did the lead two had dropped me and I didn’t have the pace to catch them. I think we are just lacking that extra two tenths even though our pace was fast but I am happy as this is my first double podium and I am pleased with how I rode. The Milwaukee Yamaha team have done a phenomenal job to turn it around for me since Friday so we will see what we can do at Brands Hatch.”
Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It was another weekend of mixed fortunes for the team. James’ qualifying performance put himself on the back foot and made it a tall order for race one. In race two he was stuck in a battle and then had that big moment which lost him the chance of a better result and it does feel like the championship is going to be difficult now but we will keep pushing. Tommy picked up two podiums which was good to see and his confidence is growing all the time. We now need to try and end the season on a high at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.”
— Lowes takes Pole
Datatag Extreme Qualifying:
1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 2m:05.724s
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.554s
3: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +0.596s
4: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.046s
5: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +1.176s
6: Peter Hickman (Lloyds British GBmoto Honda) +1.272s
Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes scorched inside the Silverstone lap record to score his seventh pole position of the season ahead of the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as he out-paced the battered and bruised series leader Shane Byrne.
Byrne had suffered a huge high-side off his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki at Luffield during the morning free practice session and the defending champion dramatically landed heavily on his right hip. Byrne had spent the majority of the afternoon receiving physio with the series’ medical team at the track before being given the go-ahead to take part in qualifying minutes before the start of the session. He was helped to his bike and then sensationally delivered a fast lap to secure an all-important front row start.
“The bike just came round on me and flipped over the top and and I landed heavily on my side,” said Byrne. “I’m just relieved to have got out there for qualifying. I don’t know what I’ve done but it was not very comfortable. The medics did a lot of work to get me out there and I have to thank them for that as the time before qualifying has just disappeared!”
Byrne takes a single point lead into these races over Samsung Honda riding Lowes who had worked hard across the day to perfect the settings of his bike. Lowes said: “It was a lot better in qualifying than it had been earlier when I was struggling a bit, but I enjoyed that session and we can do a bit more before the races which are when the real action starts. I think it will be close in the races tomorrow but hopefully not as close as Assen!”
New Yorker PJ Jacobsen completed the front row, easing his title chasing Tyco Suzuki team-mate Josh Brookes onto the second row of the grid in fourth. Jon Kirkham and the Buildbase BMW team became the fourth manufacturer to feature in the top five ahead of Peter Hickman, having his best qualifying of the season, running sixth on the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda.
But two other Title Fighters, James Westmoreland and James Ellison face uphill struggles in the opening race. Westmoreland starts his Buildbase BMW from the third row in ninth, but James Ellison who crashed his Milwaukee Yamaha without injury on his first flying lap in qualifying starts from the sixth row.
— Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship qualifying
Manxman Callan Cooper continued his late season pace to put his CF Yamaha on pole running 0.040secs up on Ben Godfrey aboard the BMC/Blinds4U Yamaha with title chasing Luke Hedger completing the front row on h
is Gearlink Kawasaki. Jordan Simpkin, the Team AHR GoRacing Yamaha, who leads the title chase by ten points from Hedger, starts from the second row, fourth fastest.
— Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship qualifying
Josh Wainwright powered his Be Wiser Kawasaki onto pole start with a lap in 2m 10.081secs, running a tenth of a second up on ILR Kawasaki riding Filip Backlund with Joe Burns third fastest on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki while series leading Hudson Kennaugh heads the second row, fourth fastest, and looking good to extending his three points advantage over Adam Jenkinson who starts from the fourth row, eleventh fastest.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team ended the Datatag Extreme qualifying sessions today in a determined mood ahead of tomorrow’s races as James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell have vowed to fight back at Silverstone.
Ellison had set the pace in the third free practice session and was confident for qualifying however a mistake on his first flying lap of Q2 caused him to crash out and he will start from the sixth row of the grid in eighteenth on the grid. Bridewell had made some further changes throughout the day and was feeling more comfortable as he again qualified for the Q3 session, ending eighth fastest.
Ellison said: “I am gutted for the Milwaukee Yamaha team as I just lost the rear on my first lap. I felt I had the heat in my tyre and I just lost the rear; usually it just drifts for a while and then grips but it just carried on sliding and that was it. I obviously didn’t get enough heat in it but it has made me even more determined for the races tomorrow. It is a long lap here and a wide track and we know we can do the race pace times to win so we just need to try and get a good start to get away with the pack.”
Bridewell said: “We have made some steps in the right direction today but we are a little bit behind because we went in the wrong direction a bit yesterday, but we have managed to get it back and make it better for qualifying. We have a few things to change tomorrow and I am feeling a lot happier and more comfortable on the bike here. Our race pace is good so we will see what we can do in the races.”
— Lowes tops day one at Silverstone
Free practice one:
1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 2m:25.509s
2: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.657s
3: Josh Waters (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +1.472s
4: Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +1.801s
5: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +1.975s
6: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.207s
Free practice two:
1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 2m:08.651s
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.251s
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.261s
4: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.437s
5: Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +0.895s
6: Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +0.910s
Alex Lowes waited until the final seconds to upstage his MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship rivals in a last lap dash to steal the top spot ahead of series leading Shane Byrne in free practice for the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Silverstone.
The stage is set for the pair to resume their frantic battle for the crown after the previous round at Assen where Lowes took his seventh victory to close within a point of Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Byrne before an incident in the second saw Byrne crash and Lowes excluded from the race.
The pair are now ready to tussle for the two wins on Sunday with Byrne deciding to sport a racing helmet bearing the message: “Warning – objects ahead may be closer than they appear.”
Lowes sat out the morning damp session, which was led by Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes, but put in a number of consistent laps aboard his Samsung Honda in the afternoon. “It was good, though still a bit damp in places and we got some good data together. The bike was good and I love this circuit so now I am looking forward confidently to the rest of the weekend. It was a case of getting out there, doing the job but not doing anything silly as there is a lot on the line in these last two rounds.”
His best lap set in the final minute of the session just edged out Byrne, who said: “To be honest I really needed to ride in the morning as I had a brand new bike and it needed to go around the track so we just did a few laps in the wet because of that. The afternoon was really, really good. We have a couple of things that we need to work on but I am really happy.”
Brookes showed his all-round skills setting the third best time this afternoon, ahead of fellow Title Fighter James Ellison aboard the Milwaukee Yamaha who had briefly led the afternoon session. Jakub Smrz riding the Padgetts Honda and Matteo Baiocco on the Moto Rapido Ducati rounded off the top six, ahead of Michael Rutter on the Bathams Honda and Peter Hickman riding the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda.
— Milwaukee Yamaha Report
The Milwaukee Yamaha team returned to action at Silverstone today for the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell ending the opening free practice sessions in fourth and thirteenth respectively.
The opening morning session took place in wet conditions with Ellison proving his pace by running second fastest with Bridewell completing the top ten. However the conditions improved for the afternoon and Ellison fired in the fourth fastest time and is confident that some changes in the morning will put him in an even stronger position for qualifying. Bridewell set the thirteenth fastest time as he prepares for his second weekend with the Milwaukee Yamaha team and is ready to build on the opening two sessions.
Ellison said: “It has been a good start to the weekend and we are not far off after today. We have been losing a bit of time in the first sector, but we have a bit of a plan for that as we know we have a good pace here at the MotoGP support race so we have been able to try a few things. We have been working on the steering because that in the first sector will be where we can make up some more time and I have been happy on the SC2 rear tyre. We have some information from when we were here before so we have been able to go a bit in between in terms of direction, but we have ended today fairly happy and on track for where we need to be tomorrow.”
Bridewell said: “Today was difficult with the conditions and I am a bit far away from where I feel comfortable, but we have had a good talk through it in the garage and we have a plan for tomorrow to make some changes. At the start of the session this afternoon I felt better but as the conditions improved I just struggled to match the pace we needed to achieve, but generally it is ok and we shouldn’t be here for very long!”
