Airwaves Ducati’s Shane Byrne has taken the race one win at Oulton Park this afternoon after a titanic last lap dice with HM Plant Honda’s Leon Haslam.
Haslam looked to have fallen asleep in the re-started first outing (click here for story) and was circulating in fifth place. but he woke up and the ride was reminiscent of his battle with Harris at Croft last year but this time, he had to settle for second.
Cal Crutchlow dominated the first half of the race from the front and continuously pulled away to gain a lead of over two seconds, but he lost all his hard work and the front on lap nine on the exit from Lodge corner. He finished the race with no doubt a frustrating sixth place. Tom Sykes who didn’t have as good a start as previously settled for fifth behind Michael Rutter in fourth.

The race was not without battles, this included Crutchlow and Sykes, when they were fighting for the lead Cal put a pass on his great mate but lost the rear as he moved in front which gave the position bac. Leon Camier demonstrated his talent and confidence by battling with Haslam, but had to settle for third as Haslam moved up to attack Shakey.

The last couple of laps as Haslam caught Bryne, almost touching they consistently changed positions. Shakey’s tyres were visibly falling apart, which allowed Leon to catch him, but he demonstrated his experience by several successful blocks and his determination for the win by finding an answer to whatever Leon gave. And still found some tread in the tyre to pull a wheelie in celebration.

Simon Andrews crashed out on lap one at Shell Hairpin, Karl Harris sadly still has no championship points after falling on lap four at Druids and adding to his injury list. Michael Howarth and Dean Ellison retired out of the race and Tom Grant, the stand in rider for Adam Jenkinson on the SMT Honda after a great ride battling with the likes of Michael Laverty, had an engine failure on the very last lap.

Steve Mercer of the Bob Farnham/Tuning/Sondel Yamaha team took his first win within the Cup championship ahead of Chris Burns on the MV Agusta. Chris recovered and worked his way through the grid after starting from pit lane as he pulled in to make alterations to his fork settings. Leon Morris of Team Trimite Brookspeed and the rider picked for the Airwaves Ducati Scholarship claimed third, his first podium within the championship and another podium success for Airwaves.

Bennetts British Superbikes race one - conditions wet

1 Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 32.29.161
2 Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 32.29.365
3 Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 32.31.765
4 Michael Rutter NW200 Ducati 32.40.656
5 Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki 32.49.176
6 Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 32.51.184
7 Michael Laverty Relentless Suzuki 33.06.420
8 James Ellison Hydrex Honda 33.08.483
9 Tristan Palmer Tena Honda 33.23.189
10 Stuart Easton MSS Kawasaki 33.27.046
11 Scott Smart Hawk Kawasaki 33.33.760
12 Guy Martin Hydrex Honda 33.44.603
13 Atsushi Watanabe Rizla Suzuki 33.47.873
14 David Johnson Maxxis Honda 33.48.728
15 Steve Mercer Bob Farnham Ymaha 33.55.144