Ducati's TriOptions 848 Challenge returns for the second round of the season this weekend at the Donington Park round of the Superbike World Championship as 25 riders line up for the next two races of the season.
The Challenge riders will be eager to race this weekend after a break since the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch, where Boast Plumbing/Art of Racing Ducati’s Jonathan Railton stormed to a double race win to kick off his season in style. The Huntingdon rider will again be lining up in both the Challenge and the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship so it will be another busy weekend as he bids to extend his advantage in the standings.
Castlerock’s Marty Nutt will want to settle the score here at Donington Park after a double podium finish at Brands Hatch; the Ducati Coventry/JHP backed rider lies joint second in the standings ahead of the two races this weekend and has his sights set on his first victory of the season.
Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards is the most experienced rider on the grid here in any class this weekend having raced for over 30 years across the various classes. The Ohlins @ P&H Motorcycles rider from Harrogate is currently equal in the standings with Nutt, but after his winning form last season will be hunting for the top step of the podium.
Stockbridge Racing’s Leon Morris and Rapido Sport Racing Ducati’s Ben Field have both come close to scoring podium finishes in the opening two races of the season, but this could be the weekend they celebrate a top three result and Ed Smith (Ultima8 Racing), Darren Fry (JHP/Ducati Coventry) and Dean Brown (BCM Racing) are also aiming to score their best finish of the season.
This event will also see two new riders feature on the grid as Dennis Hobbs returns to the Challenge after recovering from a pre-season injury and Ducati Wolverhampton’s Louis Dawson will become the youngest rider on the grid as he makes his debut.
Sean Neary, Byron Beckett, Jack Keen and Stuart Poyser will also be aiming to build on their Brands Hatch experience and claim solid points this weekend whilst Ricky Holden, Alex Symon and Jay Dunn will be looking to move up the order with some consistent finishes at Donington Park.
