JMF Millsport's Alastair Seeley has taken victory in the opening National Superstock 1000 race of 2009 at Brands Hatch this afternoon after making the best of a gaggle of backmarkers.
The Irishman picked his way through several slower riders which held up Co-ordit Yamaha's Richard Cooper, who finished half a second behind Seeley, and reigning champion Steve Brogan in third.
Brogan and Cooper began the battle for the lead early on, with Cooper trying every which way past the Liverpudlian into Paddock Hill and out of Clark Curve, while Seeley bided his time and looking for opportunities.
On lap four, Cooper set the fastest lap of the race but the Irishman was pulling his up to the leading pair and made his move on the Co-ordit bike into Paddock on lap 12, with Daniel Hegarty going past a lap later.
Seeley made his moved on Brogan halfway through lap 14 and then a backmarker threw a not inconsiderable spanner in the works on the entrance to Surtees allowing Seeley to make a break while Hegarty crashed.
Seeley then kept his lead until the closing stages when he was baulked by a backmarker but he was far enough in front to take the chequered flag by half a second.
James Hillier held off a fast-approaching John McGuinness and Adam Jenkinson for fourth while Scott Smart hauled himself up from 12th on lap one to finish in eighth, just behind Luke Quigley.
