The penultimate round of the Honda British Talent Cup sees the pack return to Silverstone for the second visit in as many weeks. This time the battle will play out on the national layout and with just 10 points separating the top two title contenders there’s everything to play for.

Evan Belford currently holds the lead and the number 52 has been back on podium form after a tougher spell earlier in the season. Consistency is often the key to trophies, but the pressure is increasingly on for the City Lifting by RS Racing rider as Casey O’Gorman (Microlise Cresswell Racing) homes in.

Having won last time out at Snetterton, and with a second alongside, O’Gorman is certainly on a mission - retaining his record of first or second in every race he’s contested this season. If that continues at Silverstone the number 67 has a real chance of the points lead heading into the final round, and with a win under his belt from his national visit last season, he arrives full of confidence.

It’s far from over, however, with Belford - who took two top fives on the shortened layout last year - still ahead and Carter Brown (City Lifting by RS Racing) and teammate Johnny Garness still in with a shot at the crown, albeit a little longer as the rounds tick down. Brown took a second and a fourth at Snetterton but proved he’ll put it all on the line as he went for a final corner shot for glory, and he’s been fast everywhere. Garness, meanwhile, bounced back from Saturday heartbreak to take some Sunday glory, back on the top step to keep himself 41 points off Belford. He’ll need to start a serious charge now if he’s to take the title though, as time is increasingly running out.

Behind the top four lurks Jamie Lyons (C&M Motors Ltd / Tooltec Racing), 62 points adrift, so to stay in touch he needs to make gains at Silverstone. He has good memories of the track from his duels against O’Gorman, and his first win of the year two rounds ago, different layout or not, but can he get back towards the front?

Behind the top five and the race winners so far in 2021, there’s plenty to play for too. James Cook (Wilson Racing) was back in the fight at Snetterton after some terrible luck at the British GP, and he’s got a good margin in hand over Ollie Walker (Moto Rapido / SP125 Racing), who in turn has closer company from Harrison Crosby (Banks Racing) in the standings. They have the chance to make an escape from Cormac Buchanan (Microlise Cresswell Racing) too as the Kiwi is back on Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup duty this weekend. Cook, Walker and Crosby also had solid rounds at the track last season, so they’ll be eager to keep fighting at the front.  

Those who’ve had some bests of the year in more recent rounds will be looking for a repeat too. Rhe likes of Sullivan Mounsey (iForce Lloyd & Jones), also looking for a bounce back from Snetterton, Corey Tinker (CT Racing), Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing) and Harrison Dessoy (Thorneycroft56 Racing). The field is deep and the competition close, so who can fight for some momentum ahead of the finale at Donington Park?