Ducati Coventry’s Marty Nutt maintained his position at the top of the Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge after the penultimate round of the season at Assen, but Mike Edwards and Jonathan Railton came out on top as they shared the victories.
Edwards celebrated victory for the first time this season after holding off the challenge from Leon Morris onboard the Stockbridge Racing Ducati and standings leader Nutt. Nutt had started from pole position and as Edwards claimed his victory Morris and Field diced for the final positions. Field found a way ahead but Edwards regained the position. On the final lap Field dropped to fourth as Morris took second ahead of Nutt.
In race two Morris took the advantage in a five-bike battle for the win before Edwards took the lead. Railton then moved ahead and the pair were trading positions before the Boast Plumbing/Art of Racing rider returned to the top step of the podium ahead of Edwards and Nutt.
Railton said: “I missed a gear on the second last lap and Mike got me but then I got him back on the last lap at the hairpin and though he pushed me all the way luckily for me he did not find a way past me. This was the result I wanted; it closes me right up at the front of the championship.”
Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge, Assen, race one result:
1. Mike Edwards (Ohlins @ P&H Motorcycles)
2. Leon Morris (Stockbridge Racing) +0.122s
3. Marty Nutt (Ducati Coventry) +0.686s
4. Ben Field (Rapido Sport Racing) +2.898s
5. Jonathan Railton (Boast Plumbing/Art of Racing) +7.312s
Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge, Assen, race two result:
1. Jonathan Railton (Boast Plumbing/Art of Racing)
2. Mike Edwards (Ohlins @ P&H Motorcycles) +0.238s
3. Marty Nutt (Ducati Coventry) +1.222s
4. Leon Morris (Stockbridge Racing) +1.257s
5. Dennis Hobbs (Hobbs Racing) +1.401s
Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge standings after Assen:
1. Marty Nutt (Ducati Coventry) 271
2. Jonathan Railton (Boast Plumbing/Art of Racing) 259
3. Leon Morris (Stockbridge Racing) 207
4. Mike Edwards (Ohlins @ P&H Motorcycles) 162
5. Dennis Hobbs (Hobbs Racing) 158
