Primo Kawasaki's Chris Walker has ended 12 years of British Superbike hurt with his first win since the Year 2000 this lunchtime at Oulton Park, passing Shane Byrne on lap 15 in mixed conditions to cross the line with nearly two seconds in hand over the former WSBK man.
Fan favourite Walker, who last stood on a BSB podium at Donington Park in 2009, came from a third-row start in a race that started wet to get the better of Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes at half distance before setting off in pursuit of Byrne who was three seconds further up the road.
It didn't take Walker long to get on to the back of the PBM Kawasaki man on a rapidly-drying track and he passed Byrne with better drive on the exit of Cascades and didn't look back. Byrne had nothing in response and took second while Brookes bagged the final podium spot.
The Australian assumes control of the championship table ahead of Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill, who was fourth and Byrne jumps up to third place. His team-mate Stuart Easton came into his own as the surface dried, passing Alastair Seeley and Tommy Bridewell in the latter stages for fifth while Patrick Muff took eighth ahead of Dan Linfoot and Alex Lowes.
Peter Hickman, who had gone out on intermediates, shoved his way through to 11th as the laps clicked down. Team-mate Michael Rutter had the same strategy but crashed unhurt while Michael Laverty could only muster 12th in conditions in which he should revel. Noriyuki Haga faded back to 13th with James Westmoreland in 14th.
Graeme Gowland, also on inters, put in fastest lap after fastest lap to take the final point and he will start from pole in the final third race.
Grid for race three
Gowland (pole), Walker, Easton, Bridewell,
Hill, Brookes, Seeley, Byrne
Championship points
Josh Brookes 79
Tommy Hill 78
Shane Byrne 63
Ian Lowry 49
Alastair Seeley 44
