Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes is the new MCE British Superbike champion. All the rider had to do was finish ahead of Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne, and that is what he did, ending the race in second with the former champ ending the day on his home circuit of Brands Hatch in third.
Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes took the eventual race three win in another dominant performance and ended the weekend doing the triple wining every single race. He was at the sharp end from the opening lap and led from the start, and when he crossed the finishing line he had a five second advantage.
But all eyes were on the two title fighters, and they certainly did not disappoint. Byrne started from 22nd on the grid, and on the first lap made his way up to eleventh, with Lowes in sixth. But Byrne soon powered through in wet conditions and by lap five got the better of Buildbase BMW’s Jon Kirkham to go into third, with Lowes one place ahead in second.
But two laps later Byrne made a move at Surtees to go ahead, but it was not to last as the Lambeth rider had a moment going into Graham Hill Bend, and he lost out on some time and Lowes was able to take advantage of this on lap sixteen and went on ahead to take second and the title, with a seven point lead over Byrne.
Milwaukee Yamaha’s Tommy Bridewell had a stellar ride, he pulled his way from the mid-pack up to fourth and on lap eleven looked as if he wanted to join in the fight with Lowes and Byrne, but on the penultimate lap he fell off the pace, to take fourth, followed by team-mate James Ellison.
Kirkham takes the Superbike Cup with his fifth place finish, followed by his colleague, James Westmoreland and Halsall Racing’s Josh Waters. Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker and GBmoto’s Dan Linfoot rounded off the top ten, with impressive rides.
