Sylvain Guintoli 2009

Last weekend the British Superbike Championship took place at Donington Park for round 2 with the Airwaves Yamaha team taking the victory in both.

As the bikes were on the out lap for the first of the afternoon’s British Superbike races, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Sylvain Guintoli was hit by Josh Brookes on the HM Plant Honda after his brakes failed at the Melbourne Loop.

Guintoli has broken his right fibula and tibia and is expected to be out for at least ten weeks.  The team announced today that Michael Rutter will be the replacement rider for this weekend at Thruxton. Josh Brookes has meanwhile been given a one race ban suspended for three British Superbike Championsip meetings for the collision.

Brookes is devastated by the racing accident and has said;

“My greatest apologies go out to Sylvain, I have been in a similar condition myself in similar circumstances so I understand he must be devastated.  I wish his best recovery as he did nothing wrong, he is just the victim of a crappy series of events.  I can only defend myself.  I have said what happened from my position, and 10 years road race experience.  I stand by my words so thanks to those who support me.”

Race One

As the bikes lined up on the grid for the first race it was James Ellison on the Airwaves Yamaha went into the lead followed by Chris Walker on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha.

Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda was in third ahead of the solo HM Plant Honda rider Glen Richards in fourth and Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki in fifth.

After qualifying in pole position, Leon Camier was soon back on form as he first passed Richards and then Easton before taking Chris Walker on the following lap as Andrews also passed Easton to take fourth place.

With only 16 laps left to run, Camier passed his team-mate, gradually increasing the gap to finish almost 4 seconds ahead of Ellison and Easton.

Andrews battled with Walker on the next lap for the final podium step and made it at Old Hairpin only to get it taken back at McLeans.

Easton and Andrews swapped places a couple of times until Andrews lost the front end as he approached Goddards.

Tristan Palmer on the Buildbase Kawasaki crashed out of race one as he clipped the back of Gary Mason’s Quay Garage Honda at the Melbourne hairpin.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 45.324secs 20 laps
2. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +3.644secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +10.490secs
4. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +13.459secs
5. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +15.146secs
6. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +15.565secs
7. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +31.782secs
8. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +34.781secs
9. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +35.362secs
10. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +35.654secs
11. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +36.348secs
12. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +36.623secs Cup
13. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +45.280secs
14. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +53.503secs Cup
15. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +53.897secs Cup

16. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +1min 00.649secs Cup
17. Victor Cox GBR STP/JHS MV Agusta +1min 01.438secs
18. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +1min 03.476secs
19. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +1min 03.619secs
20. Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki +1min 25.163secs Cup
21. Brian McCormack GBR MAR Kawasaki +1 lap Cup
22. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda +1 lap Cup

Not classified

23. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha 13 laps completed
24. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki 7 laps completed
25. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki 5 laps completed Cup
26. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki 1 lap completed
27. Malcolm Ashley GBR MAR Kawasaki Did Not Start Cup
28. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda Did Not Start
29. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki Did Not Start

Race Two

Race 2 was won for the first time ever by the Airwaves Yamaha rider James Ellison, just over 2 seconds in front of Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda machine.

The initial race was restarted after Karl Harris’s engine blew,  causing him to crash the Hydrex Honda which then leaked water over the track bringing out the red flag.

At the restart, Walker shot into the lead until passed by Glen Richards on the HM Plant Honda at McLeans and then Camier.  Walker took his place back further in the lap while behind Jason O’Halloran on the SMT Honda and David Johnson on the Team Maxxis Branson Yamaha, tangled and both were out of the running.

On lap 3, Camier came to a stand still on track shortly after passing Walker. After a lot of fiddling about with his machine he was once again rejoining the race but was by then back in 25th position.

On lap 6, Easton and Walker were again fighting for position with Walker finally pushed back to third position as Easton also made his move stick.

Ellison crossed the line to take the chequered flag followed by Easton in second, Walker in third, Andrews in fourth and Richards in fifth place.

Josh Brookes ended his dismal weekend by crashing out in race two along with Karl Harris who went down on the last lap.

Camier finally finished in twelfth, he was about to finish in the top ten when running in ninth on the penultimate lap he made a mistake.

Here are the results;

1. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 49.102secs 20 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +2.582secs
3. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +5.740secs
4. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +9.517secs
5. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +9.729secs
6. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +18.247secs
7. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +26.512secs Cup
8. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +27.330secs
9. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +28.626secs
10. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +31.155secs
11. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +31.930secs
12. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha +40.198secs
13. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +41.721secs
14. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +50.121secs Cup
15. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +50.506secs Cup

16. Victor Cox GBR STP/JHS MV Agusta +52.806secs
17. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +52.889secs Cup
18. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +1min 13.938secs
19. Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki +1min 22.793secs Cup
20. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda +1min 28.591 Cup

Not classified

21. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda 16 laps completed
22. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki 11 laps completed Cup
23. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 7 laps completed
24. Brian McCormack GBR MAR Kawasaki 7 laps completed Cup
25. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki 6 laps completed
26. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha 1 lap completed
27. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda 1 lap completed
28. Malcolm Ashley GBR MAR Kawasaki Did Not Start Cup
29. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki Did Not Start

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch 2008

Shane Byrne won both races at Brands Hatch yesterday in his final weekend in the British Superbike Championship.

Race 1

Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda took the lead of race one into the first corner but on the second lap, Byrne dived up the inside heading towards Druids to take his place at the front.

The battle for second place was taking place behind between James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, Leon Haslam on the second HM Plant Honda and Leon Camier on the Airwaves Ducati.

At one point it looked as if Haslam would pass Ellison, but he wasn’t close enough, giving Ellison a chance too pull away from him.

Rizla Suzuki rider Tom Sykes was tailing Camier, followed by Michael Laverty on the TAS Relentless Suzuki and Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati.  Laverty’s race ended on lap twenty-seven while running in eighth place.

Here are the results;

1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 23.21.717
2. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 23.23.609
3. James Ellison Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.23.861
4. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 23.23.907
5. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 23.27.464
6. Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki 23.28.276
7. Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 23.41.052
8. Simon Andrews Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha 23.41.719
9. Jon Kirkham Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 23.45.245
10. Tristan Palmer Tena for Men Honda 23.46.958
11. Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 23.46.975
12. Billy McConnell MSS Discovery Kawasaki 23.48.052
13. John Laverty Buildbase North West 200 Ducati 23.48.052
14. Atsushi Watanabe Rizla Suzuki 23.53.059
15. Jason O’Halloran SMT Honda 23.58.862
16. Guy Martin Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.58.902

Race 2

Leon Haslam led the race from lap one and by lap three, he had set the fastest time, but nearing the end of the race he started to lose time giving Shane Byrne the chance that he was waiting for.

Byrne took the lead from Haslam on the final lap of the race at McLaren forcing Haslam to run wide and move to the second step of the podium.

Byrne’s team-mate, Leon Camier took the final place on the podium after slipping past Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda.

Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki was battling it out with James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda until lap twenty-five ended Sykes hope when his machine developed a mechanical problem.

Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki suffered further problems in race two and was seen going into the pits on lap two due to further mechanical issues.

Here are the results;

1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 23.21.124
2. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 23.22.941
3. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 23.25.429
4. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 23.29.685
5. James Ellison Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.30.907
6. Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 23.32.524
7. Simon Andrews Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha 23.45.389
8. John Laverty Buildbase North West 200 Ducati 23.46.968
9. Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 23.46.991
10. Jon Kirkham Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 23.54.225
11. Chris Burns STP Superbike MV Augusta 23.56.605
12. Jason O’Halloran SMT Honda 23.56.638
13. Tristan Palmer Tena for Men Honda 23.59.512
14. Atsushi Watanabe Rizla Suzuki 24.02.517
15. Guy Martin Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 24.02.749
16. Peter Hickman Red Viper Racing Honda 24.03.117

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch Qualifying

ucati, claimed his fifth pole position of the season today for the final round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

Leon Haslam on the HM Plant Honda took second place despite a heavy crash at the beginning of the session and suffering a bruised shoulder, followed by team-mate Cal Crutchlow in third.

Rizla Suzuki rider, Tom Sykes, completed the front row of the grid ahead of tomorrows final race and who is still in with a chance for that runner-up prize.

James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, took fifth position to start the second row alongside Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati.

Relentless Suzuki rider, Michael Laverty, finished in seventh place followed by MIchael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati and Jon Kirkham on the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha, who is replacing Karl Harris this weekend after withdrawing due to personal problems.

Simon Andrews on the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha completed the top ten riders.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – 1st Quali – 2nd Quali – 3rd Quali

1 - Shane Byrne - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 46.512 - 46.081 - 45.799
2 - Leon Haslam - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 46.341 - 46.485 - 46.096
3 - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 46.256 - 46.493 - 46.118
4 - Tom Sykes - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 46.616 - 46.508 - 46.201
5 - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 46.571 - 46.525 - 46.255
6 - Leon Camier - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 46.457 - 46.408 - 46.303
7 - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 46.995 - 46.562 - 46.513
8 - Michael Rutter - Ducati – North West 200 Ducati - 46.582 - 46.445 - 46.518
9 - John Kirkham - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 46.889 - 46.603 - 46.560
10 - Simon Andrews - Yamaha – Jentin Racing / Lloyds British - 46.952 - 46.602 - 46.579
11 - Billy Mcconnell - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 46.996 - 46.682
12 - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 47.011 - 46.842
13 - John Laverty - Ducati – Buildbase NW200 Ducati - 47.028 - 46.853
14 - Tristan Palmer - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 47.132 - 46.857
15 - David Johnson - Honda – Team MAXXIS - 47.027 - 46.936
16 - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 47.192 - 46.951
17 - Stuart Easton - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 47.058 - 46.979
18 - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 47.311 - 47.082
19 - Shannon Etheridge - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 47.207 - 47.100
20 - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 47.249 - 47.197
21 - Jason O’halloran - Honda – SMT Honda - 47.346
22 - Peter Hickman - Honda – Red Viper Racing - 47.383
23 - Francis Williamson - Ducati – Moto Rapido Racing - 47.647
24 - Victor Cox - Yamaha -STP Superbike - 47.654
25 - Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 47.693
26 - Leon Morris - Ducati – Brookspeed - 47.781
27 - Tom Tunstall - Honda – Hardinge – Ice Valley Motorsport - 47.786
28 - Malcolm Ashley - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 48.059
29 - Martin Jessopp - Honda – Riders Racing - 48.512

Shane Byrne 2008 BSB Champion

Shane ‘Shakey Byrne’ won the British Superbike Championship for 2008 this weekend on the Airwaves Ducati.

Race One

Leon Camier took the victory in the first race at Silverstone on the Airwaves Ducati despite a poor start putting him back to ninth place at the end of the first lap behind his team-mate Byrne.

The front three riders Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and Tom Sykes started to put a gap between the rest of the pack until on lap three, Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki tried to pass Haslam at the final chicane.  He was unable to stop in time and took himself and Haslam out of the race.  Sykes was eventually excluded from the race one results and will start race two twelve places back on the grid from his qualifying position.

On lap five, James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda caught the back of Michael Laverty under braking going into the final chicane ending the race for both of them, and allowing Byrne to move up to third place.

Karl Harris had to retire from the race on lap seventeen after developing mechanical problems with the Team Yamaha machine.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

DNF - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 23:32.820
DNF - Karl Harris - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 23:36.119
DNF - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 13:30.203
DNF - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 5:50.819
DNF - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 5:51.030

Race Two

Leon Haslam on the HM Plant Honda took the chequered flag in race two after dominating the race from the start.

Karl Harris and Cal Crutchlow were fighting each other for second place on lap two, taking turns for the position until Crutchlow got it all wrong and went straight on at the bend.

Tom Sykes had to start from seventeenth on the grid after his penalty from race one but by lap four had moved into sixth place while on the next lap, Byrne passed Harris to take second position.

On lap fourteen Sykes had passed Harris to take the final step of the podium, a fantastic race after starting near the back of the grid.

Crutchlow retired from the race on lap fifteen after developing mechanical problems with his machine.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

DNF - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 20:26.247
DNF - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 18:21.045
DNF - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 11:13.790
DNF - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 4:40.200
DNF - Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 1:37.029
DQ - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 29:25.215

Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow on the Repsol Honda took pole position for tomorrows eleventh round of the British Superbike Championship.

Crutchlow recently announced that he would be riding for the factory Yamaha World Supersport team next year, but knows that he could still take second place in the championship as their are only his team-mate, Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes to fight for the rest of the points.

Haslam will start alongside Crutchlow in second place with Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati in third and Karl Harris on the RM Racing Yamaha in fourth.

Tom Sykes will start from fifth on the Rizla Suzuki followed by Shane Byrne on the Airwaves Ducati, who only needs to collect seven points tomorrow to take the championship.

Leon Camier is in sixth place on the second Airwaves Ducati ahead of James Ellison in seventh place after a disastrous qualifying session.  The rider had to use his second bike after the rear wheel spindle jammed on his number one bike.

Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki will start in ninth place followed by Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda.

Guy Martin, team-mate of Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda crashed out in the first session damaging the bike and damaged his hand, he will be starting from twenty-first on the grid.

Here are the results;

1. Cal Crutchlow GBR HM Plant Honda 1min 25.489secs
2. Leon Haslam GBR HM Plant Honda 1min 25.790secs
3. Michael Rutter GBR NW 200 Ducati 1min 25.952ecs
4. Karl Harris GBR Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 1min 25.976secs
5. Tom Sykes GBR Rizla Suzuki 1min 26.012secs
6. Shane Byrne GBR Airwaves Ducati 1min 26.136secs
7. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Ducati 1min 26.175secs
8. James Ellison GBR Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 1min 26.555secs
9. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki 1min 26.912secs
10. Gary Mason GBR Quay Garage Honda (CUP) 1min 27.011secs

11. Stuart Easton GBR MSS Discovery Kawasaki 1min 27.279secs
12. Scott Smart GBR Hawk Kawasaki 1min 27.282secs
13. Simon Andrews GBR Lloyds Jentin Yamaha 1min 27.514secs
14. Billy McConnell AUS MSS Discovery Kawasaki 1min 27.652secs
15. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda 1min 27.805secs
16. Tristan Palmer GBR Tena for Men Honda 1min 28.140secs
17. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Rizla Suzuki 1min 28.151secs
18. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Honda 1min 28.179secs
19. Peter Hickman GBR Red Viper Honda 1min 28.607secs
20. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda (CUP) 1min 29.021secs

21. Guy Martin GBR Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 1min 28.530secs
22. John Laverty GBR NW200 Ducati (CUP) 1min 28.538secs
23. Chris Burns GBR STP MV Agusta (CUP) 1min 29.135secs
24. Dan Stewart GBR Wilcock Consulting Honda (CUP) 1min 29.394secs
25. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge/Ice Valley Honda (CUP) 1min 29.594secs
26. Leon Morris GBR Brookspeed Ducati (CUP) 1min 30.461secs
27. Francis Williamson GBR Moto Rapido Racing Ducati (CUP) 1min 30.832secs
28. Shannon Etheridge AUS MAR Adept Kawasaki (CUP) 1min 31.609secs

Leon Camier

Race One

Leon Camier won the first race at Croft yesterday on the Airwaves Ducati, in the tenth round of the British Superbike Championship after lining-up in sixth place on the grid.

Camier took the lead on lap thirteen after battling his way through the pack followed by HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam in second.

Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki took third place after passing Shane Byrne in the final corner forcing the Airwaves Ducati almost off track to get past.

The second HM Plant Honda of Cal Crutchlow, took full advantage of the move on Byrne and also managed to squeeze through, pushing Byrne down to fifth place.

Michael Rutter on the North West Ducati finished in sixth place after qualifying in second on the grid

Here are the results:

1: Leon Camier (Ducati) 27:06.760
2: Leon Haslam (Honda) +2.544
3: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +6.113
4: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +6.366
5: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +6.581
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +13.889
7: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +19.031
8: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +19.583
9: James Ellison (Honda) +19.722
10: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +24.907
12: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +31.013

Race Two

Leon Haslam took the second race of the day on the HM Plant Honda with the fight for the championship now moving to the next round at Silverstone in two weeks time.

Leon Camier was battling in fourth place as he tried to take third from Michael Rutter at the hairpin on the inside, forcing both riders wide and putting the Ducati back in fifth as a consequence.

Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda was leading the race shadowed by Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki until Sykes took the inside line on lap ten to lead the pack.

Championship leader, Shane Byrne had a terrible start and was down in tenth place on the opening lap but by lap fourteen he had made his move up to fifth.

Haslam made his move on Sykes on the penultimate lap to win his fourth race of the season followed by Sykes, and Crutchlow.

Here are the results;

1: Haslam 27:04.305
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.133
3: Crutchlow +1.614
4: Byrne +1.864
5: Camier +3.740
6: Rutter + 9.788
7: Ellison +17.037
8: Harris +18.735
9: Andrews +19.893
10: Laverty +21.857
12: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +34.079

Tom Sykes

Shane Byrne on the Airwaves Ducati was the fastest man in this morning free practice session but in the afternoon session, the championship leader had a dramatic highside only ten minutes into the session.

The practice session was immediately red-flagged after he crashed at the esses and Byrne’s was put into the ambulance before going to the medical centre who confirmed that hehad suffered soft tissue damage to his left shoulder as well as losing his front teeth.

He was unable to ride for the rest of the day and a decision will be made tomorrow morning if he will be fit to qualify.

Tom Sykes was the fastest man in the afternoon session after the announcement this week that he will be replacing Noriyuki Haga in the World Superbike series for 2009.

He sat out the rest of the session as the rain began to fall while team-mate Atsushi Watanabe continued learning the track and picked up the pace.

There wasn’t much improvement when the session was restarted after the red flag but Sykes set a time that was good enough to get ahead of the two HM Plant Honda riders of Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow.

Karl Harris on the RM Racing Yamaha was fourth followed by Ducati riders, Leon Camier, Michael Rutter and Shane Byrne.

James Ellison at his home race for the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team, finished in eighth place followed by Simon Andrews on the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha and Gary Mason for the Quay Garage Honda team to complete the top ten riders of the session.

The new Formula One style qualifying which took place for the first time at the Cadwell Park round is in three seperate sessions.

Q1, is a twenty-five minute session with all the riders attempting to set a time to put them through to Q2.  Any rider outside the the top twenty will form at the back of the grid based on their qualifying times.

Q2, is only fifteen minutes long and is for the top twenty riders from Q1, with all riders again trying to set the fastest time and go through to Q3.  Any rider outside the top ten will line-up ahead of the riders already at the back of the grid from Q1.

Q3, the final session will select the times of the top ten riders to see who will qualify where at the front of the grid rows.

A little bit more exciting to watch perhaps but it still seems to reward the teams with bigger budgets and more spares to rely on.

Leon Haslam

HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam, won both races this weekend in the ninth round of the British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park.

In race one, Tom Sykes led the race from the start on the Rizla Suzuki after starting from pole position, but Haslam remained on his tail until just over half way when Sykes had a front end slide allowing Haslam through.

Exactly the same scenario happened in race two with Haslam out braking Sykes on lap seven to take the lead moving Sykes again into second position.

In both races, Shane Byrne took third place on the Airwaves Ducati with Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati in fourth.

It was a disastrous weekend for the second HM Plant Honda rider, Cal Crutchlow, who could only manage fifth place in race one after struggling to keep up with the pace and then crashed out in race two on the third lap going into Halls Bend.  He managed to rejoin the race but finished down in thirteenth place.

Haslam said,

“This weekend didn’t start great here for me, I had the crash in practice then we had a wet session and qualifying didn’t go according to plan and I was fourth.  But the HM Plant Honda worked like a dream today, it was unfortunate for Cal to crash out but these things happen.

To get the first double win of the year for the HM Plant Honda team is great and I think it might be the first time the team have taken the double here at their local circuit.

We had a bit of bad luck at the start of this year and I did lack a bit of confidence but the team have worked hard and the bike has increased ten-fold now and we are back to winning ways.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, Race one result:

1. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)

2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.551s

3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +8.819s

4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +11.981s

5. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +18.970s

6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +19.482s

7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +22.094s

8. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +26.571s

9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +33.816s

10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +34.606s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, race two result:

1.Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda)

2. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.541s

3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.910s

4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.269s

5. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +16.556s

6. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +23.458s

7. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +27.178s

8. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +27.375s

9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +28.549S

10. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +37.426s

Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki took a double victory yesterday at the Oulton Park round of the British Superbike Championship.

Race 1

Tom Sykes won his first race of the season in the first race yesterday after being moved back to second place by the end of lap one by James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, who remained in the lead for a third of the race until passed by Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda.

Crutchlow, took the lead on lap eight but crashed out on the eleventh lap, he managed to rejoin the race but could only finish in seventh place.

As Crutchlow made his error, Sykes grabbed his opportunity and took his place back at the front of the pack to claim his first win of the season.

Shane Byrne got a terrible start off the line on the Airwaves Ducati, but soon battled his way through the riders, however, not without incident.  Byrne had a coming together with Karl Harris on the Rob Mac Racing machine, which ended Harris’s race.

As Harris ran wide, Byrne tried to pass on the inside as Harris closed the gap and smacked into the side of the Ducati, which saw him sliding off the track.  The incident is now under investigation.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

1 - Tom Sykes - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 29:12.2
2 - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 29:16.9
3 - Shane Byrne - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 29:17.3
4 - Leon Haslam - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 29:26.5
5 - Simon Andrews - Yamaha – Jentin Racing / Lloyds British - 29:37.7
6 - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 29:43.6
7 - Michael Rutter - Ducati – North West 200 Ducati - 29:48.5
8 - Billy McConnell - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 29:50.8
9 - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 30:00.2
10 - John Laverty - Ducati – Buildbase NW200 Ducati - 30:00.8
11 - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 30:00.9
12 - James Haydon - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 30:01.2
13 - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 30:08.6
14 - Dean Ellison - Yamaha – Co-ordit Racing - 30:15.9
15 - Tom Grant - Honda – SMT Honda - 30:17.3
16 - Martin Jessopp - Honda – Riders Racing - 30:29.3
17 - Tom Tunstall - Honda – Hardinge – Ice Valley Motorsport - 30:30.9
18 - Dan Stewart - Honda – Wilcock Consulting - 30:32.2
19 - Aaron Zanotti - Honda – Red Viper Racing - 29:31.4
20 - Michael Howarth - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 30:13.3

Not Classified

DNF - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 28:55.2
DNF - Howie Mainwaring - Suzuki – Lenzkes Clamping Tools GB Ltd - 29:04.1
DNF - David Johnson - Honda – Team MAXXIS - 20:10.6
DNF - Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 19:04.6
DNF - Shannon Etheridge - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 17:01.1
DNF - Karl Harris - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 14:41.9
DNF - Francis Williamson - Ducati – Moto Rapido Racing - 10:44.5
DNF - Tristan Palmer - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 06:41.3
DNF - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 07:25.9
DNF - Kenny Gilbertson - Kawasaki – Astro Racing Kawasaki - 03:45.9
DNF - Leon Morris - Ducati – Brookspeed - 02:17.5

Race 2

Tom Sykes sealed his win at round seven of the Championship at Oulton Park by winning the second race as well as the first for the Rizla Suzuki team.

Leon Haslam on the HM Plant Honda took the lead from the off, but Sykes snatched it back on the second lap and held it until the end.

Cal Crutchlow frantically tried to pass Sykes but just couldn’t get close enough and had to be content with a second place ahead of Byrne.

Haslam finished in fourth position followed by James Ellison, Simon Andrews and Michael Laverty.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

1 - Tom Sykes - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 29:04.554
2 - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 29:04.651
3 - Shane Byrne - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 29:05.173
4 - Leon Haslam - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 29:05.819
5 - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 29:16.203
6 - Simon Andrews - Yamaha – Jentin Racing / Lloyds British - 29:29.809
7 - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 29:31.052
8 - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 29:31.503
9 - Karl Harris - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 29:35.743
10 - Billy McConnell - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 29:35.775
11 - Michael Rutter - Ducati – North West 200 Ducati - 29:37.248
12 - Tristan Palmer - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 29:39.741
13 - John Laverty - Ducati – Buildbase NW200 Ducati - 29:39.912
14 - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 29:40.057
15 - James Haydon - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 29:48.548
16 - Dean Ellison - Yamaha – Co-ordit Racing - 29:48.654
17 - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 30:02.121
18 - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 30:03.106
19 - Tom Grant - Honda – SMT Honda - 30:05.530
20 - Martin Jessopp - Honda – Riders Racing - 30:14.907
21 - Dan Stewart - Honda – Wilcock Consulting - 30:17.661
22 - Shannon Etheridge - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 30:23.189
23 - Tom Tunstall - Honda – Hardinge – Ice Valley Motorsport - 30:23.572
24 - Aaron Zanotti - Honda – Red Viper Racing - 30:43.339
25 - Francis Williamson - Ducati – Moto Rapido Racing - 30:43.653
26 – Michael Howarth - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 29:43.865

Not Classified

DNF – Leon Morris - Ducati – Brookspeed - 19:15.706
DNF – David Johnson - Honda – Team MAXXIS - 10:15.058
DNF – Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 10:29.251

Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda took the pole position today at Oulton Park in the final minute of the session.

Shane Byrne on the Airwaves Ducati was the man who lost out to Crutchlow in the remaining seconds.  He was followed by Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki who has been going well all weekend.

Karl Harris on the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha took the fourth place to complete the front row of the grid followed by Simon Andrews on his Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha to start the second row.

Michael Rutter for the NW 200 Ducati team came in sixth place ahead of James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda and Tristan Palmer on his the TENA for Men Honda.

Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati, crashed out with thirty-five minutes of the session still remaining and will now start in twenty-ninth position on the grid.

Billy McConnell on the MSS Discovery Kawasaki, was another faller towards the end of the session after going well in the earlier practice.

Here are the results;

1-Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1:36.298

2-Shane Byrne (Ducati) 1:36.590

3-Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 1:36.591

4-Leon Haslam (Honda) 1:36.821

5-Karl Harris (Yamaha) 1:36.831

6-Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 1:37.105

7-Michael Rutter (Ducati) 1:37.371

8-James Ellison (Honda) 1:37.558.