Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes (above) claimed another two podium finishes with a second in race one and third in race two at the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race at Snetterton on Sunday.
Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes stormed to the opening win of the day at Snetterton as he launched ahead of title rivals Josh Brookes and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.
Byrne maintained his position at the top of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings with his win in the second race as Alex Lowes and Josh Brookes completed the podium line up with three manufactures represented in the top three.
In the warm up session Josh Brookes set the pace despite a crash in the final minutes. He was not hurt in the incident. The positions at the top changed constantly throughout the session with Brookes taking the early advantage before Byrne and then pole-sitter The positions at the top changed constantly throughout the session with Brookes taking the early advantage before Byrne and then pole-sitter Alex Lowes had a spell at the top. Brookes continued to up the pace firing his Tyco Suzuki to the top of the times with a 1’48.947s.
Race one
Brookes got his race off to a flying start from the front rowi to head the pack on the opening lap, but with Tommy Bridewell suffering a technical problem on lap two the Nissan GT-R safety car was deployed. Brookes, Byrne, Lowes and James Ellison were the leading quartet and when the race resumed on lap five the Samsung Honda rider was ready to stun his rivals. Lowes instantly passed Byrne into Montreal and then gave the same treatment to Brookes into Agostini on the same lap.
Lowes was pushing hard to edge out a lead in the blistering heat of Snetterton as Brookes fought to stay within striking distance for, however over the closing laps the Honda rider had the edge to claim his second win of the season from the Australian. Brookes had in turn come under pressure from a disgruntled Byrne as the pair crossed the line for the final time side-by-side.
Ellison held fourth place after he had moved himself up the order for Milwaukee Yamaha as the team continued to work to close the gap to the leading trio ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari who finished fifth.
James Westmoreland had a resurgent second half of the race after the Buildbase BMW rider made a mistake into Nelsons on the sixth lap; he ran off the track but kept himself upright to rejoin and then carve his way back up the order.
Robbin Harms and the Doodson Motorsport Honda team celebrated their best result of the season with an eighth place after he held off Padgetts Honda’s Jakub Smrz and Aussie Josh Waters (Milwaukee Yamaha) who claimed ninth place. Matteo Baiocco completed the top ten for Rapido Sport Racing Ducati as they scored their first top ten finish in the Championship.
Results race one
1. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda)
2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.984s
3. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.027s
4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +2.523s
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +6.009s
6. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +20.065s
7. Robbin Harms (Doodson Motorsport Honda) +20.349s
8. Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +20.654s
9. Josh Waters (Milwaukee Yamaha) +20.926s
10. Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +21.081s
Race two
Byrne took the lead on the opening lap from Brookes and James Ellison with James Westmoreland in close contention. The pack was in close contention when Jon Kirkham crashed at Williams, taking down Robbin Harms with him and the incident bought out the Nissan GT-R Safety Car for three laps. Kirkham and Harms were both able to walk away but the Danish rider suffered a wrist injury in the crash.
The race continued and Brookes was shadowing Byrne for the lead, the Tyco Suzuki rider waited until the eleventh lap when he closed in on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki on the run down the Bentley Straight. The Australian was dramatically forced to run across the grass at Brundle to avoid contact with Byrne which dropped him back to a distant third as Byrne and Lowes continued to push at the front for the win. Lowes was trying to find a way past on the final lap but he was forced to settle for second with Brookes third.
Ryuichi Kiyonari had been having his own on track battle with James Westmoreland; the triple champion was able to push ahead of the Buildbase BMW and move up to fifth in the overall standings. Chris Walker made amends for his retirement in race one with a sixth place for Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki with Josh Waters claiming his best result of the season so far finishing in seventh position.
Lloyds British GBmoto Honda returned to the top ten with Dan Linfoot who held off James Ellison as the Milwaukee Yamaha rider dropped down the order after the safety car period before fighting his way back to ninth. Matteo Baiocco and the Rapido Sport Racing Ducati team celebrated his second top ten finish of the day.
Results race two
1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.245s
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +7.018s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +7.868s
5. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +8.587s
6. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +12.961s
7. Josh Waters (Milwaukee Yamaha) +18.218s
8. Dan Linfoot (Lloyds British GBmoto Honda) +21.370s
9. ames Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +21.483s
10. Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +22.775s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton
1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 207
2. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 175
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 172
4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 160
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 83
6. Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) 81
The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship takes place at Brands Hatch 19-21 July.
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