Samsung Suzuki's John Hopkins emerged victorious from a four-man battle for top spot in today's opening British Superbike race at Silverstone this afternoon, holding off the Swan Yamahas of Michael Laverty and Tommy Hill with Josh Brookes in fourth.
The American tool the lead from Laverty on lap nine and clearly thought he could get away but Laverty and Hill were having none of it, holding on to the back of the blue and white GSX-R1000 while Brookes gave chase after dispensing with HM Plant Honda's Shane Byrne.
Laverty had two close looks at Hopkins but couldn't put his superior corner entry speed to good use. The Irishman also didn't know what lap he was on and said he was surprised when the chequered flag came out, saying he made an error and would have tried to make a pass.
Brookes also had a couple of looks at the inside of Hill's YZF-R1 but also couldn't make the pass, so had to settle for fourth in a race that was close but not with much in the way of overtakes. Hill was also suffering with big chatter problems which slowed him down.
Byrne finished in fifth place with Graeme Gowland the first Evo runner home in sixth place. Alex Lowes came through the field to finish in seventh, just ahead of the Rapid Ducati duo of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp.
Tommy Bridewell completed the top ten with Glen Richards finishing second Evo rider in 13th overall and Scott Smart third Evo man (16th). Ryuichi Kiyonari was given a ride-through penalty after not starting at the back of the grid and ended the race in last, his title chances now over.
Grid for race two:
Brookes (pole), Hopkins, Laverty, Kirkham
Hill, Byrne, Lowes, Hickman
Championship points:
Hopkins 593
Hill 581
Byrne 554
Laverty 552
Brookes 543
Kiyonari 518
