This weekend saw three races at the Snetterton circuit with the re-run of Race 2 from the Knockhill round of the championship taking place on Saturday and the two races from round seven going ahead as scheduled on the Sunday.

Race 1 (re-run of Knockhill race two – Saturday)

The HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes took the chequered flag in the re-run of the cancelled Knockhill race 2 on Saturday after passing his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari on the final lap.

Kiyonari had dominated the race from the flag ahead of the Relentless Suzuki pairing of Michael Laverty and Alastair Seeley.  Tommy Hill on the Worx Crescent Suzuki had soon moved into third position passing both Relentless Suzuki riders as he chased down the leading HM Plant Honda duo.

Brookes was sitting in ninth place by the end of the first lap after a terrible start but by the seventh lap had passed Seeley, Michael Rutter and Laverty and was up to third place.  The HM Plant Honda rider was soon attacking Hill, passing him on the inside at Riches before going after his team-mate.  Kiyonari was defending his position but Brookes managed to make his way past on the final lap again at Riches to take his third win of the season.

Hill finished in third place ahead of Rutter in fourth, Seeley in fifth, Michael Laverty in sixth, James Ellison in seventh, Simon Andrews in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Tommy Bridewell in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes  AUS HM Plant Honda  19mins 41.650s
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.594s
3. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +4.475s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +4.989s
5. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.485s
6. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.889s
7. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +9.148s
8. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +11.305s
9. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +14.364s
10. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +14.386s
11. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +14.698s
12. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +15.007s
13. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +17.458s
14. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +28.761s
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +28.933s

25. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 5 laps completed
26. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 0 laps completed

Race One - Snetterton

It was Michael Rutter on the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati that took to the lead as the opening race got underway ahead of Tommy Hill, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Michael Laverty and James Ellison.

Brookes was back in sixth place by the end of lap one despite claiming pole position in the Swan Combi Roll for Pole after another iffy start.  By the fourth lap the HM Plant Honda rider had moved up to third while his team-mate Kiyonari was forced to retire from the race following a mechanical problem.

Hill had fallen back down the field running behind both Seeley and Ellison but was soon looking to make a pass on the Swan Honda rider which he succeeded in doing to finish the race in second place.

By lap 7, Brookes had passed second place man Hill before being gifted the lead 7 laps later when Rutter was seen slowing down with a gear shift problem on the Ducati.

Hill finished in second place followed by Seeley in third, Ellison in fourth, Michael Laverty in fifth, Tommy Bridewell in sixth, Chris Walker in seventh, Stuart Easton in eighth, Simon Andrews in ninth and John Laverty rounding off the top ten riders.

Here are the results;

1.  Josh Brookes  AUS HM Plant Honda  24mins 13.327s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +1.472s
3. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +2.740s
4. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +3.757s
5. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +4.152s
6. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +15.640s
7. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +17.779s
8. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +18.417s
9. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +18.860s
10. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +19.131s
11. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +21.546s
12. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +21.838s
13. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +32.999s
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +34.969s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +44.072s

DNS Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia
DNS Luke Jones GBR PR Racing Yamaha

Race Two

Josh Brookes was denied his third win of the weekend after a technical problem occurred seeing him retiring from the race on lap 12.

It was the Swan Honda of James Ellison that took to the front of the pack as the race got underway ahead of Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

By lap 3, Kiyonari squeezed his way through on Michael Laverty before passing his team-mate Brookes seven laps later.  On lap 9, the Honda rider had managed to get past the leading Swan Honda rider Ellison as they headed into Riches.  Brookes was hot on the tail of his team-mate until he was forced to retire from the race.

Kiyonari was leading the race 1.3 seconds ahead of Michael Laverty, Rutter and Ellison until Alastair Seeley attempted a pass on Ellison taking them both out of the race.

Michael Laverty made a move on the leading man only to run wide and lose his second position to a stalking Tommy Hill.  Rutter finished in fourth place ahead of John Laverty in fifth, Simon Andrews in sixth, Chris Walker in seventh, Andrew Pitt in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Yukio Kagayama in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  26mins 52.964s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.591s
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +0.954s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1.584s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +3.897s
6. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +4.899s
7. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +6.127s
8. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +8.211s
9. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +8.349s
10. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +9.566s
11. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha 10.663s
12. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +12.146s
13. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +16.226s
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +17.302s
15. Hudson Kennaugh RSA Splitlath Aprilia +17.607s

DNS James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM
DNS Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia
DNS Luke Jones GBR PR Racing Yamaha

Ryuichi Kiyonari - HM Plant Honda 2010

Ryuichi Kiyonari took the victory in both races this weekend at the Mallory Park round of the British Superbike Championship.

Race One

The HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari qualified in pole position for the first race of the day but dropped back to third as the pack headed into the first corner.

Michael Laverty took to the lead from the start followed by Michael Rutter, Kiyonari and Chris Walker in fourth, however, the following lap saw the red flag waved following an accident between Martin Jessopp and Dan Linfoot.  Jessopp appeared to make contact with Yamaha of Linfoot and managed to get his leg caught up in the Motorpoint machine.  After being taken to the track-side medical centre, Jessopp is believed to have suffered a suspected fracture to his leg.

As the race restarted, Laverty once again took to the front of the pack followed by Josh Brookes, Rutter and Kiyonari. The Japanese rider soon passed Rutter while Brookes made his move stick on the race leader, with Kiyonari following two laps later.

Kiyonari finally got past his team-mate on lap 12 where he remained until the chequered flag was waved followed by Brookes for a Honda 1-2.  Laverty claimed third place ahead of Rutter in fourth, Stuart Easton in fifth, Chris Walker in sixth, Simon Andrews seventh, John Laverty eighth, Andrew Pitt ninth and Alastair Seeley in tenth.

Both Worx Crescent Suzuki riders failed to finish the race after Tommy Hill suffered technical issues on his machine and Yukio Kagayama had a huge high-side.  Karl Harris was another non-finisher after failing to complete a single lap on his East Coast Yamaha.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  23mins 42.274s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +1.820
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +3.573s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +3.753s
5. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +13.883s
6. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +14.155s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +16.175s
8. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +16.343s
9. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +19.469s
10. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +19.912s
11. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +21.571s
12. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +22.206s
13. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +37.820s
14. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +45.855s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +46.402264s

16. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +46.900s
17. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +47.528s
18. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +50.865s
19. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Kawasaki +52.622s
20. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +52.769s
21. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1 lap
22. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +2 laps

Not Classified

23. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 8 laps completed
24. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha 7 laps completed
25. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW 5 laps completed
26. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki 1 lap completed
27. Karl Harris GBR East Coast Yamaha 0 laps completed
28. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 0 laps completed
29. James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM 0 laps completed

DNS Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
DNS Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati
DNS Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki
DNS Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda

Race Two

For the second time of the day it was a HM Plant Honda 1-2 after Ryuichi Kiyonari won the final race of the day ahead of his team-mate Josh Brookes.

Kiyonari once again dominated the second race of the day despite being briefly overtaken by Chris Walker on the opening lap.

The second HM Plant Honda rider made his way past Walker on lap 7 before chasing down his team-mate but the Japanese rider got his head down and created a gap of more than three seconds between himself and Brookes.

Michael Laverty made it onto the podium for his fifth consecutive race after finishing in third place ahead of Michael Rutter who once again took his second fourth place of the day.  Chris Walker also took his second fifth place of the day followed by John Laverty in sixth, Simon Andrews in seventh, Tommy Hill in eighth, Tommy Bridewell in ninth and Andrew Pitt in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  28mins 20.065s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +3.601
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +9.726s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +10.819s
5. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +19.126s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +21.249s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +22.812s
8. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +23.085s
9. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +23.326s
10. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +23.950s
11. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +32.645s
12. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +39.495s
13. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +40.135s
14. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +43.289
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +48.414s

16. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +53.274s
17. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +1 lap
18. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW +1 lap
19. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1 lap
20. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +1 lap
21. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1 lap
22. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia +1 lap
23. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +2 laps

Not Classified

24. Karl Harris GBR East Coast Yamaha 0 laps completed
25. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +46.900s
26. James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM 0 laps completed
27. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +13.883s
28. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Kawasaki +52.622s
29. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +45.855s

DNS Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki
DNS Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda
DNS Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati
DNS Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda

Josh Brookes - HM Plant Honda 2010

It was a great weekend for the HM Plant Honda team for the latest round of the British Superbike championship with Ryuichi Kiyonari winning the opening race of the day and his team-mate Josh Brookes taking the victory in race two.

Race One

In race one, Ryuichi Kiyonari took his first win of the season despite nearly losing his Honda in the closing stages.

Kiyonari led the field as the lights went out for the start of the race followed by pole sitter Tommy Hill, Michael Rutter and Stuart Easton.

Easton lost his position on the second lap after losing the rear of his Swan Honda at Charlies and was followed two laps later by Tommy Hill who went down at Hall.  The Worx Crescent Suzuki rider managed to ground an engine case on the Kerb racing through Hall Bends causing him to crash and the deployment of the safety car.

As the race restarted on lap 8, Kiyonari pulled away from Rutter who was being put under pressure from Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki who soon moved into that second position and began chasing down the race leader.  Laverty worked his way past Kiyonari with just a couple of laps left to run but the position was soon taken back by the Honda rider, crossing the line to take the chequered flag.

Laverty took second place ahead of Michael Rutter on the RidersMotorcylces.com Ducati and Tommy Bridewell for an impressive fourth place on the Quay Garage Honda.

Here are the results;

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 27m 35.356s
2. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +0.497s
3. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1.877s
4. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +2.528s
5. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +5.168s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +7.754s
7. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +10.072s
8. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +11.042s
9. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +11.953s
10. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +13.178s

24. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing 13 laps completed
25. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 8 laps completed
26. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 3 laps completed
27. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 1 lap completed

Race Two

Josh Brookes took the victory in the second British Superbike race of the day while his team-mate and race one winner Ryuichi Kiyonari was forced to miss out after his HM Plant Honda developed techincal problems on the warm-up lap.

Michael Laverty got the lead as the race got underway followed by Michael Rutter and Brookes but before the end of the first lap, Brookes had moved past Rutter for second place.

The Australian rider then made his move to take the lead on lap 2 where he stayed until lap 16 of race two when the red flag came out after Dan Linfoot had a big accident going up the Mountain.

On lap 13, Laverty, who had looked good for second position, made a mistake at the chicane which saw him riding across the grass allowing Rutter to close-up while he fought to hold off the challenging Tommy Hill.  Hill soon moved into third position before slotting into second as he passed Laverty on the following lap.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 22m 15.411s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +4.398s
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.675s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +5.921s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +10.465s
6. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +10.731s
7. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +13.663s
8. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +19.568s
9. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1 lap
10. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +1 lap

24. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha 14 laps completed
25. Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda 7 laps completed
26. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 6 laps completed
27. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda Did not start

Stuart Easton - Oulton Park 2010

This weekend saw the British Superbike championship riders head to Oulton Park for a wet bank-holiday Monday outing with Stuart Easton and Michael Laverty taking victory in the two races.

Race 1

In Race 1, Stuart Easton, on the only Swan Honda of the weekend, managed to hold back a challenging Tommy Hill to take the chequered flag by just 0.058 seconds.

It was the first win of the season for Easton after a fantastically quick get away off the line, his team-mate James Ellison, was unable to race this weekend due to the injuries he suffered at the last round of the championship.

Hill on the Worx Crescent Suzuki had qualified in pole position and stuck to the tail of the Swan Honda for the entire race while his team-mate Yukio Kagayama, crashed out at Island bend on the opening lap.

Michael Rutter on the Ridermotorcycles.com Ducati was running in an impressive fourth place and attempting to pass the HM Plant Honda of Josh Brookes but ran wide and within a few laps was forced to retire from the race.

On lap 2, Ian Lowry on the Motorpoint Yamaha, crashed out at the Shell Oils corner ending his race followed moments later by Christian Idden on the Sorrymate.com Honda at Brittens.

The second HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari had been running in fifth place until Alstair Seeley on the Relentless Suzuki began to pile on the pressure behind him, eventually making a move up the inside at Shell Oils corner on lap 9, forcing the Honda rider wide and moving him down to seventh.  Kiyonai later retired from the race.

John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki and his brother Michael on the Relentless Suzuki, appeared to be racing each other on the track with Michael running wide on lap 16 of the race leaving enough space for John to get through and move in to fifth place.

Easton crossed the line for the win followed by Hill in second and an impressive John Laverty in third after a fantastic final lap.

Alastair Seeley finished in fourth place ahead of Michael Laverty in fifth, Josh Brookes in sixth, Gary Mason on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki in seventh, Chris Walker on the second MSS Kawasaki in eighth, Dan Linfoot on the Motorpoint Yamaha in ninth and Tommy Bridewell on the Quay Garage Honda in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 28mins 55.815s 18 laps
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +00.058s
3. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +10.399s
4. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +10.843s
5. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +10.849s
6. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +11.073s
7. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.428s
8. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.478s
9. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +35.997s
10. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +36.709s
11. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +37.359s
12. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +43.608s
13. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +47.997s
14. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +48.550s E
15. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +59.109s E
16. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing +59.203s E
17. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1m 04.680s E
18. David Johnson GBR TwoWheelTuning.com Suzuki +1m 12.038s E
19. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +1m 22.557s E
20. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1 lap E
21. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Racing Kawasaki +1 lap E
22. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
23. Michael O’Brien GBR Motomob/O’Brien Hifi +1 lap E

DNF. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 12 laps completed
DNF. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda 6 laps completed E
DNF. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati 5 laps completed
DNF. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 3 laps completed
DNF. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda 3 laps completed
DNF. Alex Lowes GBR Redline KTM 3 laps completed E
DNF. Ian Lowry GBR Motorpoint Yamaha 1 lap completed
DNF. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki 0 laps completed

Fastest laps:

Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 1m 35.859s
David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing 1m 37.841s E

Race 2

Michael Laverty appeared to be the happiest man on the planet yesterday after sealing his first win in the second race of the day for the Relentless Suzuki team.

With very changeable weather conditions for the third round of the championship, Laverty rode a faultless race to secure his number one spot on the podium.

It was the HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari who got to the front as the race got underway ahead of Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty.  However, Laverty was already on a mission and had moved past the championship leader to move up to second place as they headed to the Shell Oils corner.

Michael Rutter on the Ridersmotorcyles.com Ducati had moved into fourth place by the second lap before passing Kiyonari.  Rutter and Kiyonari swapped the position once again before Rutter made the move stick and Laverty slipped back to fourth place.

Michael Laverty crossed the line to take the victory on his maiden win ahead of an impressive Michael Rutter and third placed man, championship leader Tommy Hill.

In fourth place was Ryuichi Kiyonari followed by John Laverty, Alastair Seeley, Tommy Bridewell, Josh Brookes, Hudson Kennaugh and Adam Jenkinson.

Stuart Easton failed to finish in the second race after struggling for grip.  He was seen returning to the pits with a possible rear tyre problem but it later turned out to be a problem with the electronics and he later retired.

Chris Burns was forced to miss both races this weekend after his wrist injury failed to heal in time following the surgery only 12 days ago.  The Splitlath Motorsport Aprilia rider, found the practice and qualifying stints to painful to endure and was forced to withdraw on the morning of the race.

Here are the results;

1. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki 27mins 26.150secs 15 laps
2. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +06.000s
3. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +11.333s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +16.029s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +23.590s
6. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +27.258s
7. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +30.287s
8. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +30.823s
9. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +32.463s E
10. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +54.950s
11. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +56.620s
12. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +59.748s
13. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +59.957s E
14. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +1m 10.760s
15. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +1m 11.833s E
16. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing +1m 14.396s E
17. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +1m 35.805s
18. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1m 44.656s E
19. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1m 54.437s E
20. Alex Lowes GBR Redline KTM +1 lap E
21. David Johnson GBR TwoWheelTuning.com Suzuki +1 lap E
22. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +1 lap E
23. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
24. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Racing Kawasaki +1 lap E

Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki 1m 48.173s
Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki 1m 49.813s E

Tommy Hill - Race 1 - Thruxton 2010

This weekend saw an incident packed second round of the British Superbike championship with the Worx Crescent Suzuki of Tommy Hill winning race one and Josh Brookes on the HM Plant Honda taking the second race of the day.

The Quay Garage Honda rider Tommy Bridewell was unable to take part in this weekends championship round after suffering a crash in the second free practice session on Friday.  As Bridewell attempted to put in some fast laps he clipped the kerb on the entry to the Club chicane, seeing him go down with his hand trapped under his machine.  Despite initially walking away from the crash, Bridewell needed to be treated by the circuit medics before being transferred to Salisbury Hospital.  The Honda rider underwent surgery to amputate  the damaged little finger of his right hand but was warned that he could be out of action for up to six months.

The Swan Honda rider James Ellison was another casualty of the weekend after crashing out during the final free practice session on Saturday resulting in a broken femur and ending his chance of points at this weeks round.

Race 1

As the race got underway it was Stuart Easton on the Swan Honda that worked his way to the front ahead of pole sitter Tommy Hill on the Worx Crescent Suzuki and Yukio Kagayama on the second Worx Crescent Suzuki in third.  John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki was in fourth place followed by Michael Rutter on the Riders Ducati, Alastair Seeley for Relentless Suzuki in seventh and Josh Brookes in eighth.

Dan Linfoot, the replacement rider for the injured Neil Hodgson at the Motorpoint Yamaha team, was an early casualty of the race, crashing at the same corner that caught out Ellison.  Howie Mainwaring another replacement rider, this time for the injured Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki, lost control of his machine lap 7, ending his race.

Brookes past Rutter on lap 8, moving him up to fourth position and was hot on the tail of Hill as Kagayama made a move on Easton at the front to lead.  On lap 15, Brookes took his turn at the front after passing both Easton and then Kagayama before the charging Tommy Hill sailed past on lap 18 after Kagayama made a mistake, taking the flag as he crossed the line for the final time.

Brookes followed in second place with Kagayama in third, Easton in fourth, Rutter in fifth, Martin Jessopp in sixth, John Laverty in seventh, Gary Mason in eighth, Ryuichi Kiyonari in ninth and Michael Laverty in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 25mins 27.870secs 20 laps
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +0.818s
3. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +1.185s
4. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +1.510s
5. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +5.670s
6. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +7.490s
7. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +9.154s
8. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +9.300s
9. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +9.493s
10. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +17.014s
11. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +18.413s
12. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +25.819s
13. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki +37.459s E
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +37.571s E
15. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +37.754s E

25. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki 19 laps completed E
26. Luke Jones GBR PR Racing M/C & Moore Yamaha 7 laps completed
27. Chris Walker GBR CW Racing Suzuki 6 laps completed
28. Howie Mainwaring GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki 6 laps completed
29. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha 4 laps completed
30. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki 4 laps completed E
31. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda 2 laps completed

Race 2

Josh Brookes took the chequered flag for the HM Plant Honda team in the second race of the day at the Thruxton circuit from third on the grid.

Brookes led the race from the start ahead of Yukio Kagayama, Gary Mason and Tommy Hill, however, Hill was aiming for a double race win and soon past both Mason and then Kagayama.  The Swan Honda rider Easton, set an impressive pace from eleventh on the grid and was soon up with the front runners.

While the fight for third position was going on between Easton, Kagayama, Rutter and Martin Jessopp, the two front runners Brookes and Hill were able to get away leaving Brookes to take the flag for the first time in over a year for the HM Plant Honda team.

Easton finished in the third spot ahead of Kiyonari in fourth, Jessopp in fifth, Michael Laverty in sixth, Michael Rutter in seventh, John Laverty in eighth, Alastair Seeley in ninth and Gary Mason in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 25mins 23.986secs 20 laps
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.391s
3. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +7.112s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +7.146s
5. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +7.263s
6. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +7.789s
7. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +8.241s
8. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +10.378s
9. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +12.218s
10. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +12.240s
11. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +17.507s
12. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +18.284s
13. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +24.639s
14. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +29.956s
15. Chris Walker GBR CW Racing Suzuki +33.357s

28. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda 17 laps completed E
29. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 17 laps completed
30. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki 10 laps completed E

Tommy Hill - Brands Hatch 2010

This weekend saw the opening round of the British Superbikes Championship for 2010 at Brands Hatch in two thrilling races.

Tommy Hill on the Worx Suzuki claimed the top step of the podium in the first BSB race of the day after passing Ryuichi Kiyonari on the HM Plant Honda.  Kiyonari had dominated the majority of the race on his return to the series but Hill stormed pass, eight laps from the finish after a mistake from the Honda rider.

Stuart Easton on the Swan Honda machine moved into third place at the start of the race after qualifying in eighth followed by Tommy Bridewell on the Quay Garage Honda in fourth and Josh Brookes in fifth on the second HM Plant Honda.   Bridewell crashed out on lap 14 of the race after losing the front end at the Graham Hill bend.

As Hill and Kiyonari battled for the top step of the podium the scrap for the final step was going on behind between Easton, Brookes, Alastair Seeley for Relentless Suzuki and Ellison. Ellison took third position ahead of Seeley and Brookes with Easton finishing in sixth.

Michael Laverty was forced to retire from the race after suffering a technical problem on his Relentless Suzuki on lap 12.  Simon Andrews ran off track on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki at Paddock Hill bend ending his race along with Christian Iddon on the Sorrymate.com SMT Honda who crashed out at Druids on the 19th lap.

Race 1 Results;

1. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 23mins 10.296secs 30 laps
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.723s
3. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +4.607s
4. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +4.655s
5. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +8.785s
6. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +10.598s
7. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +11.5856
8. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +20.079s
9. Chris Walker GBR CW Racing Suzuki +20.211s
10. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +20.585s
11. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +25.710s
12. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +26.357s
13. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +28.288s
14. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +34.867.563s E
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +35.368s

16. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +35.997s
17. Luke Jones GBR PR Racing M/C & Moore Yamaha +37.276s
18. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +44.063s E
19. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia +1 lap E
20. David Johnson AUS Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
21. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki +1 lap E
22. Steve Mercer GBR SMR Racing Yamaha +1 lap
23. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +1 lap E
24. Pauli Pekkanen FIN RR Motorsport Suzuki +1 lap E
25. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +1 lap E
26. Steve Heneghan GBR Quattro Plant Honda +1 lap E
27. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
28. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Kawasaki +1 lap E

Not Classified

29. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki 25 laps completed
30. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda 25 laps completed
31. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki 18 laps completed E
32. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 18 laps completed
33. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda 13 laps completed
34. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki 11 laps completed

Did Not Start

Neil Hodgson GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
Joe Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia E
James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM E

James Ellison - Brands Hatch 2010

James Ellison on the Swan Honda machine claimed victory in the second race of the day, dominating from the start.

Tommy Hill put pressure on Ellison throughout the race while Ryuichi Kiyonari was forced out after just 4 laps after developing an electrical problem on his Honda.   Gary Mason on the second MSS Colchester Kawasaki was also a non-finisher after suffering a technical problem on his machine.

Chris Walker on the CW Racing Suzuki and Dan Linfoot on the Motorpoint Yamaha both crashed out on lap 9 after a coming together, seeing them both thrown into the gravel, while on lap 10 after running in fourth place.   Tommy Bridewell was forced wide while trying to pass Michael Laverty, causing him to crash and putting him out of the race.

Neil Hodgson failed to start his season opener for the Motorpoint Yamaha team after a dramatic high-side during the warm-up lap as entered the Graham Hill bend, injuring his shoulder.

Race 2 Results;

1. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda 23mins 03.278secs 30 laps
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.186s
3. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +4.925s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +6.711s
5. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +22.050s
6. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +22.203s
7. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +27.328s
8. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +29.841s
9. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +35.885s
10. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +37.489s E
11. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +39.037s
12. Luke Jones GBR PR Racing M/C & Moore Yamaha +41.190s
13. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +42.412s
14. Steve Mercer GBR SMR Racing Yamaha +42.618s
15. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +44.526s E

Neil Hodgson GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
Joe Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia E
James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM E

Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha 2009

Leon Camier won all three races at the British Supebike Championship at Brands Hatch over the weekend, giving him a lead in the points standing of 113.5 over team-mate James Ellison for the Airwaves Yamaha team.

The first race of the weekend took place on Saturday with Camier taking the chequered flag ahead of Broc Parkes on the WSB Kawasaki in second and Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda in third.

Parkes led the field from the start of the race ahead of Karl Muggeridge on his HM Plant Honda debut and Camier as they headed into Druids.  Parkes team-mate Sheridan Morais, was thrown of his machine as he made an error trying to pass Tommy Hill at Stirling, he was unhurt.

By lap 2, Camier had moved into second place, passing Muggeridge and chasing down the leading man.  On lap 10,  he passed Parkes on the inside going into Druids and pulled away from the pack.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 26mins 15.747secs 18 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +1.901secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +11.495secs
4. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +15.461secs
5. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +15.840secs
6. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +17.959secs
7. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +19.646secs
8. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +21.033secs
9. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +23.195secs
10. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.236
11. Michael Rutter GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +24.319secs
12. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +30.084secs
13. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +35.556secs Cup
14. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +37.052secs
15. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +37.204secs

Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Sunday

Race 1

Leon Camier led from the start on the Airwaves Yamaha, followed by Broc Parkes and Stuart Easton.  As Camier and Parkes began to pull away from the rest of the pack the red flag came out as David Johnson crashed his Maxxis Yamaha at Hawthorn.

Once the safety car came in Camier was off again followed by Parkes as the two soon created a gap between themselves and Easton.

Tommy Hill finished in fourth ahead of the second Airwaves machine of James Ellison and Karl Harris on the second Hydrex Honda in sixth.

Chris Walker struggled with some sort of problem on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha and retired just before the end of the race.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 36.823secs 20 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +4.534secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +7.775secs
4. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +8.713secs
5. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +10.072secs
6. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +12.688secs
7. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +15.025secs
8. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +16.575secs
9. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +19.466secs
10. Sheridan Morais RSA Kawasaki SRT +19.561secs
11. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +20.297
12. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +22.112secs
13. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +22.179secs
14. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +24.535secs Cup
15. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +41.291secs

Steve Mercer GBR MIST Suzuki
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Race 2

Camier went onto win the third race of the weekend, beating the record number of wins in one season previously held by Niall Mackenzie.

It was Broc Parkes that led the way as the lights went out while Camier got off to a terrible start and dropped back to eighth place.  Karl Muggeridge was in second followed by the second Airwaves Yamaha of James Ellison in third.

Camier started to carve his way through the pack and on lap 3, had passed Stuart Easton, Tommy Hill and Michael Rutter.  On the following lap he nipped up the inside of his team-mate Ellison, and into third place as he began to chase down Muggeridge for second.

After passing the HM Plant Honda rider, Camier set about Parkes and eventually passed him on lap 15 before he once again, headed for the chequered flag for his fourteenth win of the season.  James Ellison managed to take his first podium of the season after passing Easton on lap 12, while John Laverty finished in an impressive fifth position after taking Muggeridge.

Here are the results:

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 29mins 05.284secs 20 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +2.272secs
3. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +11.587secs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +13.884secs
5. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +21.338secs
6. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +21.395secs
7. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +21.891secs
8. Sheridan Morais RSA Kawasaki SRT +22.818secs
9. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +26.534secs
10. Michael Rutter GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.405secs
11. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +30.536secs
12. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +30.662secs
13. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +31.582secs
14. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +39.247secs
15. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +42.554secs Cup

Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki Cup
Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki Cup
David Johnson AUS Team Maxxis Adept Yamaha
Steve Mercer GBR MIST Suzuki Cup
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Chris Burns - MV Agusta

Chris Burns will allegedly be on the grid of the next round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, on August 7/8/9, for the Jentin Racing Yamaha Team

Burns was signed at the beginning of the season to ride the STP-JHS MV Agusta Team, however, before he had even ridden the machine, the contract ended after delays in getting the bike on track.

The Geordie rider, landed a full-time ride in the German Superbike Championship for this season with the Holzhauer Honda Racing team.  Initially, the former MotoGP rider, was a replacement rider for the injured reigning champion Martin Bauer, but after an impressive 2nd and 4th place at the Sachsenring, he was offered the ride until the end of the season, alongside Bauer and team-mate Michael Schumacher.

There is still no confirmation at this point, but with Michael Schumacher returning to the Formula One series to cover for the injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and Bauer still recuperating, it leaves Burns as the sole rider for the German Superbike Team making it seem unlikely that they would let him go, however, I didn’t expect to see Schumacher back in F1!

John Laverty – Buildbase Kawasaki 2009

This weekend the British Superbike Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch with a four-day event starting on 10th through to the 13th April.

The GSE Racing team have revealed their 2009 YZF-R1 in it’s new racing livery.  The Airwave Yamaha riders Leon Camier and James Ellison are both said to be pleased with the new paint job and eager to get on the circuit.  The GSE Racing crew signed a 3-year-deal to partner Yamaha after ending their commitment with Ducati.

The Relentless Suzuki team have signed Ian Lowry to ride alongside their other rider Atsushi Watanabe for the 2009 season.  Lowry has been riding for the team in their Supersport series for the past three seasons.

The MSS Kawasaki team will be on the grid with their riders Julien Da Costa and Simon Andrews.  Andrews missed some of the recent testing after suffering a crash at Mallory Park in March.  He was blown off track by a strong gust of wind as he entered Gerrards and was hit by the bike causing severe bruising to his shoulder.  Andrews is now fit and ready for the start of the season and are pleased with the work done on their machine over the winter months.

Another Kawasaki team who will be racing against the MSS team are the riders Tristan Palmer and John Laverty, riding for the Buildbase Kawasaki team.  The team formerly known as Hawk Racing completed their sponsorship deal with Buildbase in December 2008.

Sylvain Guintoli will be aboard the Crescent Suzuki who have recently revealed that they have secured a two-year sponsorship deal with Worx, the power tool brand.  The former MotoGP rider has been very strong in testing and is aiming for no less than a double win at this Easter weekend round.

The HM Plant Honda team are aiming to be the top Honda team again this year with their Australian riders Josh Brookes and Glen Richards. This season they are facing competition with the Hydrex Honda team who have the riders Karl Harris and Stuart Easton, both showing impressive speed during testing.

Jason O’Halloran is the sole rider for the SMT Honda team after making his debut in the BSB series at Croft in 2008 where he got the team a top ten result for the first time.

The Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha team will have the riders Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland, both intending to give their team 100%.  Walker was signed by Rob McElnea after a year in WSB and was desperate to get back in front of the British Superbike crowd.

The other Rob Mac signing was that of Michael Rutter who will be riding the North West 200 Yamaha.  Rutter has shown impressive form in the 2008 season and is a favourite for this year.

Jon Kirkham will be riding the Lloyds British Jentin after a successful 2008 season in the National Superstock championship where he finished runner-up.

The STP-JHS Racing MV Augusta have the riders Chris Burns and Victor Cox. The team confirmed that last season the bike was overweight and underpowered and that the improvements to the machine will make a massive difference to the handling and performance of the bike.

The Red Viper Honda team has Aaron Zanotti and Alastair Fagan riding for them.  Zanotti will continue his season with the team alongside Fagan who competed in the British Supersport Cup in 2008 where he finished in sixth place overall.

Gary Mason will once again be riding for the Quay Garage Honda team after racing in the Daily Star British Superbike Cup in 2008 for the team.  He was given the task after James Buckingham was forced out due to injuries and showed an impressive ride.

Brian McCormack is on the MAR Racing Kawasaki and is also intending to compete in the TT with the full backing of his crew.

Tom Tunstall will be riding for the Hardinge Doodson Motorsport Honda team and will also be racing in the Daily Star Cup Championship which runs alongside BSB.

Peter Hickman is with the Ultimate Racing Yamaha team after finishing third in the 2008 National Superstock 1000 Championship.

Martin Jessopp is aboard the Riders Racing Honda, Kenny Gilbertson is on the Jx Fuelcard Kawasaki, Matt Bond is riding the Mist Suzuki and David Johnson for Team Maxxis Branson Yamaha.

(UPDATE)

According to reports Josh Brookes will not be racing this weekend after he was stopped by immigration this morning from entering the UK as his paperwork was not in order.

Steve Plater will now be replacing the Australian for this round only.

If last season showed glimpses of what the MV Augusta could do, Burns is hoping that a new partnership deal with development team JHS Racing during the close season, will realise the bikes full potential. JHS Racing have spent the winter months working on an extensive development programme for the bike and Burns is champing at the bit to put it through it’s paces and hoping for a ride that will improve on last years British Superbike results.

“It’s been a long winter and while I have been working hard in the gym, I really want to get back to some serious testing. We can then confirm just what improvements have been made to the bike since last year.” says Burns.

From the information available to him, Burns is expecting to clamber aboard a bike that is “unrecognisable” from last years machine, having learned from the development team that this years MV will benefit from both more power and  reduced weight.

Burns and his young team mate Victor Cox are expecting to be contesting for the British Superbike Cup, the trophy awarded to the top independently run team in BSB, but they will also be looking for some decent Superbike results to mount a serious bid for the main championship. Burns is confident in both himself and Cox, saying:

“With Vic almost being a part of the furniture at STP it should all run like clockwork, and I cannot see it being too long before we get an MV Agusta 1-2 on the cup podium. And put in a serious challenge for consistent points in the main championship.”