michael rutter @ snetterton

RidersMotorcycles.com racer Michael Rutter was robbed of a possible win in the first of Sunday’s two races at Snetterton when his gear lever snapped off while leading the race and left his bike stuck in sixth gear.

Having finished Saturday’s race in a strong fourth position, Rutter looked in exceptional form all weekend.

In Sunday’s first race starting sixth on the grid, Rutter made a brilliant start, moving into second place by the first corner and leading the race by the end of the first lap.

Half a second clear of nearest rival Josh Brookes at the halfway stage of the race things went pear shaped for the Ducati rider when his gear lever snapped.

Rutter said: “It’s gutting when something like that happens but that’s racing and you have to take it on the chin. It’s hard to lead a race like that. I saw plus zero on my board and started to ride defensive and then once I’d got the gap, I could  back to normal racing lines – the fastest way around the course – and then the gap opened up again.”

In race two on Sunday Rutter was once again mixing it with the best, with some stunning overtaking manouvres and a generally outstanding ride.  Sadly it was not quite enough to make the podium as Rutter finished fourth once again.

“I tried my best but didn’t quite make the podium,” he said. “I’m really pleased how well we’ve gone here because we thought we might just lack a bit on top end down the straights here a lot more than we did. My bike is the best through the corners but the four-cylinder bikes do just have the edge down the long straights here. It’s been another good weekend and I’m looking forward to Brands Hatch now.”

Rutter remains in fifth place overall in the British Superbike Championship going into round 8 at Brands Hatch. Team owner Phil Jessopp said; “Michael rode well again. It’s a real shame about the second race – it messed up our weekend really but as Michael said, we’re looking forward to Brands Hatch now which should really suit our bike.”

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

Michael Rutter - BSB - Knockhill 2010

The Ridersmotorcylces.com rider Michael Rutter claimed his first win in two-years at this weekends British Superbike championship and the first ever for the team.

The second race of the day was cancelled due to a crash under horrendous weather conditions which saw the first race restarted three times as the heavens opened.

The first start ended after heavy rain fell on the track with only 2 laps completed, causing a delay of the restart of 90 minutes as the downpour continued.  As the restart got underway an accident on lap 3 saw the second red flag as Chris Walker and Dan Linfoot crashed out spilling mud across the circuit which needed to be cleared.

At the third start it was Josh Brookes who led the pack from pole position followed by Michael Rutter and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

On lap 6 Kiyonari put his HM Plant Honda in front of both riders to take the lead but as a dry line began to develop on the soaked circuit, Rutter slipped past Brookes and was on the tail of  the Honda rider.

Rutter made his move with 5 laps of the shortened 15 lap race to take the lead remaining at the front until he crossed the finish line ahead of Kiyonari and Brookes.

Relentless Suzuki rider Michael Laverty crossed the line in fourth place followed by Alastair Seeley in fifth, John Laverty in sixth, Simon Andrews in seventh, Tommy Hill in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Chris Walker in tenth.

Rutter said after the race;

“This is brilliant, not just for me but for the team. It’s great to back as a championship contender and it’s even better to be standing on top of the podium again.

The conditions played into my hands a bit but I was desperate to get past the Hondas and run my own race. I know the race was shortened but it’s a win none the less in far from ideal conditions.”

As the warm-up lap of race two got underway the rain once again began to fall followed by a six-bike pile-up after Simon Andrews fell off his Kawasaki at turn 1.  As the clean up began and the rain subsided the wind began to gust across the track leading to officials to cancel the second race.

Here are the results;

1.  Michael Rutter  GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati  13mins 32.658s
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.577s
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +6.187s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +9.363s
5. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +13.285s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +18.708s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +21.149s
8. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +23.233s
8=. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.233s
10. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +28.717
11. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +29.831s
12. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +30.312s
13. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW +31.077s
14. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +32.288s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +34.394s

DNS Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha

michael rutter

Michael Rutter continued his assault on the British Superbike Championship in the fifth round at Mallory Park, consolidating his position with two fourth place finishes.

But Mallory Park was not so kind to Riders.com team mate Martin Jessopp who was involved in a crash with Dan Linfoot in race one at Charlies Chicane on lap two, forcing the race to be red flagged and re-started.

Jessopp has since confirmed that he broke his tibia and fibula in the incident and also broke his left foot, and now faces a frustrating lay off from the Championship.

The accident took a bit of the shine off Rutter’s performance for the team, he had qualified fourth and despite problems with gearing on the Ducati maintained that same position for both races.

The first race was re-started over 25 laps and Rutter said;

“I rode the hardest I could but was losing out in the second gear corners. We’re limited to how we can gear the Ducati, which isn’t usually an issue, but causes us a lot of problems circuit. We can run the more suitable gearing but then we compromise the ideal wheelbase length of the bike and once you do that it upsets the entire set-up of the machine.”

In the second race it was much of the same;

“We weren’t a million miles off the first three either. We struggled with low down grunt because of the gearing we were forced to run. In first gear corners, I was having to use second so we weren’t getting off the turns like the others. But we’ll keep plugging away to finish in the top six after the ninth round which will put us into the top six run-off for the title in the final three rounds.”

The final outcome was soured somewhat by the incident involving Jessopp and Rutter said;

“It’s a such a shame what’s happened to Martin. It brings the whole team down.  Of course it’s a good result this weekend for me and the team to have two fourth place finishes but I want Martin to be up there too.”

Rutter is now fifth in the championship on 114 points, only 40 adrift of series leader Tommy Hill.

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

Michael Rutter on the podium

Riders Motorcycles.com’s Michael Rutter continued to show some great form aboard the Ducati at Cadwell Park at the weekend, finishing third and fourth in the two MCE sponsored BSB races on Sunday after qualifying in third on the grid.

Rutter left Cadwell Park sitting fourth in the championship race, but 56 points behind current leader Tommy Hill. He finished third in the first race, after battling with race winner Ryuichi Kiyonari early on, but was then passed by Michael Laverty in the closing stages.

Rutter said: “I rode the best I could. I knew I didn’t have the pace of Kiyo and then I got arm pump. I’ve never had it before but we did the morning warm-up with a heavy throttle setting and I think that set it off.”

He then battled with Laverty again in race two but when the Suzuki rider missed the chicane it upset the Ducati rider’s rhythm and Tommy Hill sneaked by for the final podium spot.

“I was just trying to go inside Laverty when he went off and Tommy got by.  But I’m happy with the weekend. Third and fourth, and going home in one piece. Can’t be bad,” said Rutter.

Team mate Martin Jessop finished with an eighth and ninth, but was hampered by excessive traction control in race one and an appalling start to race two. He is currently ninth in the overall standings.

Jessopp said: “In the first race I got a good start but we had some traction control issues and that held me back. Then in the second one I got a terrible start. It was frustrating because I felt I had the pace of the front runners but I  had to make some harsh moves to get through the pack and by then it was too late to close the gap to the leaders.”

podium for rutter

Having qualified third for the Oulton Park British Superbike Bank Holiday meeting, Michael Rutter was left cursing his luck in the first race when he suffered what was thought to be an engine problem on the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati, causing him to retire early.

He was to make amends in race two however, using all his experience to master the wet but drying track conditions to bring the Ducati home in second place.

Rutter said after the race: “My tyre had lost grip towards the end of the race and I was just doing everything I could to nurse it home but still retain second place. The bike and the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati team worked really well this weekend and I’m delighted to be on the podium for them.”

Rutter was not sure what had caused his early exit in race one however, and said, “We’re not sure whether anything is wrong or not, the engine was making strange noises but when we checked the data everything seemed okay.”

Rutter’s team-mate Martin Jessopp bounced back from a 90mph crash in practice to chalk up 11th and 12th in the two races and is now ninth in the championship standings with 42 points.

Jessopp said: “We’ve had a few issues this weekend. I crashed when I got into the corner a little bit hotter than before and folded the front end. Then we had a gear selection problem. I kept getting neutrals, which was unnerving. We got some solid finishes in the end but I never really felt like I got into a rhythm  on race day and maybe I was being to harsh on the brakes in the dry first race and upsetting the chassis.

Team owner Phil Jessopp added: “In all it’s been a pretty good weekend for the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati team. Michael’s experience showed as he finished a very strong second in race two in the most difficult of conditions and he’s now only six points off fourth in the championship. Martin’s weekend was trying with the crash and then the gearbox problem. His 12th place in the wet was a hard-earned result. He wasn’t quite sure how hard to push in the rain. We could have done without the technical issues but we’re still looking to get both our riders into the top six of the championship come the ninth round so they can go through to the final three-round title Showdown.”

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

RidersMotorcylces.com Ducati 2010

Last weekend saw the British Superbike Championship taking place at Thruxton with the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati riders Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp finishing both races in the top ten.

Martin Jessopp finished race one in sixth place, following up with an impressive fifth place in the second race while his team-mate Michael Rutter claimed fifth and seventh respectively.

Jessopp’s lap time in race one put him in pole position for the second race and he made the most of the opportunity, battling for third place with Honda riders Stuart Easton and Ryuichi Kiyonari before finishing fifth – his career best finish in the series.

Jessopp said:

“My bike was really stable in the fast stuff on the back of the circuit. But those Honda’s are so fast up the straights. I was really strong in the fast left out the back but Stuart (Easton) got wise and realised where I had the advantage and started blocking me and that’s when Kiyo got by.

I’m over the moon with my results though. It would have been nice to have done the next bit and finished on the podium but I’ve got to be happy. This is promising for Oulton. I love that place. The bike will work well there and the Honda’s won’t have the long fast sections of track to stretch their legs like they’ve been able to do here.”

Rutter said:

“In the first race I got a bad start, pushed too hard and ended up losing grip to early in the race so I wasn’t able to go with the leading four in the closing stages.

I got a bit mugged early in the second race and couldn’t get with Kagayama and then Easton came by me. I should have gone with him but I was losing grip but it’s probably my fault. I’m still riding the Ducati with too much lean angle. I need to adapt to a style like Martin’s and sit it up earlier out of corners to get better drive. It’s coming though and I think Oulton in two weeks time is really going to suit our bike.”

Team owner Phil Jessopp added:

“This weekend has been really good for us. We’ve had a few technical issues in practice but the team worked well to overcome them and I’m delighted with the results. Martin rode well to mix it with Easton and Kiyonari and was unlucky not to get a podium finish.

Michael also rode well, especially with that fifth place in the first race. He was right with the leading quartet until his rear tyre lost grip. And now we’re looking forward to Oulton where the Ducati really will come into its own.”

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