Mar-Train Yamaha’s Alistair Seeley claimed a marvellous Motorpoint British Supersport victory, coming through from tenth on the first lap to win by four and a half seconds.
Smiths Triumph’s Graeme Gowland took the holeshot but the lead was quickly taken away from him by Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin. Northern Irishman Irwin and Northumberland rider Gowland began to pull away from the chasing pack, buying themselves a two second buffer.
Championship leader Billy McConnell had settled in to third place but he was coming under increasing pressure from Luke Jones, aboard his Acumen Industrial Services Triumph. However, Seeley was making his way through the field, passing Jones and then McConnell.
He had two seconds to bridge and did it within two laps, setting the fastest lap of the race en route to Gowland’s back wheel. He passed Gowland at Shell Hairpin and then Irwin at Lodge corner in the space of a lap, before setting another fastest lap of the race on his way to the chequered flag. The wee wizard was struggling with injury after a qualifying crash but battled through the pain to a superb fifth win of the year.
Seeley now sits third in the championship but just four points in arrears of new championship leader Gowland. Former Spanish Supersport champion, Gowland, had to settle for third place as Glenn Irwin battled to his third podium of the year. Aussie McConnell was pushed backwards to fifth by Jones, meaning the Adelaide rider now sits second in the championship table; one point behind Gowland.
Team Traction Control Yamaha’s James Rispoli came through in sixth place, one of his best rides of the year, after fighting off Luke Stapleford and Luke Hedger in the final laps. Rounding out the top ten was Sam Hornsey and Taylor Mackenzie.
