Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty has picked up his first British Superbike win of the year at Snetterton this afternoon, leading on lap one and never headed again while title rival Tommy Hill was forced to watch from the sidelines after retiring with an overheating motor.
Laverty was untouchable from start to finish, pulling out a lead of four seconds before throttling back to cross the line just 1.3s ahead of second-placed Shane Byrne. The Kawasaki man fended off a late charge by Josh Brookes but the Aussie has now assumed control of the championship table by one point from the reigning champion.
It wasn't a good race for the Swan Yamaha team as Noriyuki Haga crashed out of race at Murray's on lap five after having a good result in the first outing earlier on today.
Ian Lowry put his minor contre temps with James Westmoreland behind him and charged through the pack from ninth to finish in fourth after passing Alex Lowes ,who himself was pushed back a further place by team-mate Graeme Gowland.
Chris Walker got the better of Stuart Easton for eighth with Westmoreland and Patric Muff rounding out the top ten. Dan Linfoot finished 1th, Luke Quigley 12th, Michael Rutter 13th, Jon Kirkham 14th and Scott Smart bagged the final point.
