Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne has taken the first MCE British Superbike race win of the season, with Samsung Honda rider Alex Lowes coming over the line in second, with Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes rounding off the top three.
The race was not without some drama. Before race one even started Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison was punished for an unauthorized movement on the start of the grid. He was meant to start from the back of the grid, but started from third, meaning he received a ride through penalty for breaking the rules. The Kendal lad did set the fastest lap of the day, and will start race two from pole position.
Byrne led from lap one, and soon a quartet of riders broke away from the pack, which included Byrne, Lowes, Brookes and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Keith Farmer. But on lap four Brookes took the lead, and Farmer over took Lowes to take third. But not far behind Farmer was Samsung Honda’s Lowes, and battle did commence between the two youngsters out on track. Byrne did manage to overtake Brookes on lap 15, and Lowes made his way up to second.
The race did has its fair share of crashes, first to go down was PR Kawasaki’s Karl Harris who crashed his bike on the top of Clearways on lap 14, in a repeat of what happened during the morning warm up. On the final lap battling racers Lloyds British GBmoto Honda’s Dan Linfoot, and Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland crashed into each other as their bikes collided as they came out of Druids. It is being reported that Linfoot has suspected fractures, and has gone to hospital for further observation, while Westmoreland appears to be ok. Bathams Honda rider Michael Rutter retired from the race with five laps to go, and Two Wheel Racing Honda rider Jenny Tinmouth did not even make it to the start of the grid, as it is reported that her bike had gearbox problems, and she will not be making an appearance in race two either.
Former champion Samsung Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari only just made it into the top ten, coming over the line in eighth, but Bathams Honda rider Tommy Bridewell and Buildbase BMW’s Jon Kirkham both had solid races, coming across the line in fourth and fifth place respectively. Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Keith Farmer started off brightly, but ended the race outside the top five in sixth. Veteran Quattro Plant Kawasaki's rider Chris Walker finished in a respectable seventh, with rookies Tyco Suzuki’s PJ Jacobsen and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Waters rounding off the top ten.
