Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Snetterton Circuit, England
June 17, 2018
Race One Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Leon Haslam, UK (Kawasaki), 16 laps, Total Race Time 30:10.370, Best Lap Time 1:47.828
2. Glenn Irwin, UK (Ducati), -0.407 second, 1:47.351
3. Jake Dixon, UK (Kawasaki), -1.727 seconds, 1:48.022
4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yamaha), -1.878, 1:47.940
5. Danny Buchan, UK (Kawasaki), -9.220, 1:48.570
6. Tarran Mackenzie, UK (Yamaha), -10.264, 1:48.309
7. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW), -10.458, 1:48.711
8. James Ellison, UK (Yamaha), -12.296, 1:48.219
9. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW), -20.503, 1:49.107
10. Richard Cooper, UK (Suzuki), -25.097, 1:49.445
11. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Ducati), -31.227, 1:48.546
12. Mason Law, UK (Kawasaki), -31.680, 1:49.817
13. Sylvain Barrier, France (BMW), -32.984, 1:49.586
14. Gino Rea, UK (Suzuki), -33.967, 1:49.834
15. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yamaha), -66.404, 1:51.999
16. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Kawasaki), -88.204, 1:53.314
17. Bradley Ray, UK (Suzuki), -7 laps, DNF, 1:47.609
18. Luke Mossey, UK (Kawasaki), -9 laps, DNF, 1:48.523
19. Dan Linfoot, UK (Honda), -16 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
20. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW), -16 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
21. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Honda), -16 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
22. Andrew Irwin, UK (Ducati), -16 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
23. Kyle Ryde, UK (Yamaha), DNS
24. Carl Phillips, UK (Kawasaki), DNS
Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Leon Haslam, UK (Kawasaki), 16 laps, Total Race Time 29:01.207, Best Lap Time 1:47.660
2. Jake Dixon, UK (Kawasaki), -0.040 second, 1:47.744
3. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yamaha), -0.129, 1:48.077
4. Dan Linfoot, UK (Honda), -11.425 seconds, 1:48.379
5. Danny Buchan, UK (Kawasaki), -12.268, 1:48.552
6. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW), -12.432, 1:48.512
7. Richard Cooper, UK (Suzuki), -14.733, 1:48.819
8. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW), -14.911, 1:48.419
9. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW), -15.733, 1:48.456
10. Andrew Irwin, UK (Ducati), -27.365, 1:49.095
11. Gino Rea, UK (Suzuki), -35.370, 1:49.671
12. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Ducati), -37.539, 1:49.842
13. Mason Law, UK (Kawasaki), -37.832, 1:50.204
14. Sylvain Barrier, France (BMW), -41.018, 1:49.586
15. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yamaha), -78.392, 1:51.457
16. Bradley Ray, UK (Suzuki), -7 laps, DNF, 1:47.911
17. Glenn Irwin, UK (Ducati), -7 laps, DNF, 1:47.675
18. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Kawasaki), -11 laps, DNF, 1:53.339
19. James Ellison, UK (Yamaha), -15 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
20. Tarran Mackenzie, UK (Yamaha), -16 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
21. Luke Mossey, UK (Kawasaki), DNS
22. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Honda), DNS
23. Kyle Ryde, UK (Yamaha), DNS
24. Carl Phillips, UK (Kawasaki), DNS
Championship Point Standings (after 8 of 26 races):
1. Haslam, 165 points
2. Ray, 101
3. Shane Byrne, 98
4. Dixon, 91
5. Glenn Irwin, 79
6. Brookes, 72
7. TIE, O’Halloran/Buchan, 63
9. Iddon, 48
10. Laverty, 46
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Too close for comfort! Haslam and Brookes collide in closest fight for victory in 2018
Leon Haslam doubled up on race victories at Snetterton following an incredible finish to the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race when the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider and Josh Brookes collided on the drag to the finish line in the closest finish of the 2018 season!
In the opening race of the day Bradley Ray launched off the pole position and into the lead ahead of Glenn Irwin but as the pack reached Wilson for the first time there was a collision into the corner and Andrew Irwin, Michael Laverty and the Honda Racing pairing of Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran crashed out of the race.
The BMW Safety Car was deployed following the incident and as the pack formed up ready for the race to resume, Ray led Irwin, Jake Dixon and Danny Buchan with Haslam holding sixth place.
On the fourth lap the race continued and Haslam was on the move and he passed Buchan on the sixth lap and was then on a charge to the front, but it didn’t come easily for the championship leader.
And it was a disaster for his JG Speedfit Kawasaki teammate when Luke Mossey crashed out at high-speed at the end of the Bentley Straight, and he subsequently sat out the second race.
Haslam was pushing to move ahead of Brookes and he dived ahead at Brundles on the ninth lap to move up the order. At the front Irwin was closing on leader Ray but the Buildbase Suzuki made a mistake and slid out at Agostini.
Irwin then had the advantage from Haslam but Dixon and Brookes were battling for the final podium position which went down to the wire on the final lap; first Dixon made a move on his Australian rival on the brakes into Brundle, but he fought back to regain the advantage at Murrays. The pair were side-by-side on the drag race to the line but it was Dixon who held it.
Danny Buchan was fifth as he held off Tarran Mackenzie, who claimed his best result of the season for McAMS Yamaha with Peter Hickman carving his way up the order to seventh place ahead of James Ellison and Christian Iddon. Richard Cooper completed the top ten on the Buildbase Suzuki.
Race two was another battle to the finish with the top three at the chequered flag covered by just 0.129s! At the start of the race Ray had again hit the front of the pack, but Brookes was instantly on the attack and he made a move on the inside at Agostini to grab the lead for McAMS Yamaha.
James Ellison was running in the top five but a mistake a lap later put the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha rider out of contention when he crashed at Agostini.
Brookes was holding off Ray and Dixon as Haslam moved ahead of Glenn Irwin and on the seventh lap moved ahead of the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider as the ‘Pocket Rocket’ forged his way through the field.
Haslam was then piling the pressure on Ray and two laps later he made a decisive move at Riches to move into second. However there was more drama for Ray as the Buildbase Suzuki rider was under attack from Irwin. The Be Wiser Ducati rider had moved ahead at Agostini, but Ray fought back as the pair began an intense battle for position.
A lap later and as Ray went for a counter attack he lost the front and crashed out of contention, taking Irwin with him, ending their races prematurely.
The fight for the lead though was raging too and Haslam moved ahead of Brookes on lap 11, but a lap later and Brookes had repaid the move to fire the McAMS Yamaha back to the front. The championship leader was determined and he was pushing hard to get back ahead of the Australian and with two laps to go he pulled another pass heading into Riches.
It all came down to the final lap and Haslam had the edge but a hard-charging Brookes made a lunge at Murrays to grab a slight advantage. The pair though collided on the drag to the finish line and it gave Dixon the chance to split them with an incredible 0.129s covering the top three with Haslam victorious and Brookes in third.
Linfoot delivered a strong performance on his return to finish fourth after he was caught out with a lap one crash in race one, forging ahead of Buchan and Peter Hickman who completed the top six for Smiths Racing BMW.
Cooper was seventh ahead of the Tyco BMW pairing of Iddon and Laverty with Andrew Irwin scoring a top ten finish on his Bennetts BSB debut with Be Wiser Ducati.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 1 result:
1.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
2.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.407s
3.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +1.727s
4.Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +1.878s
5.Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +9.220s
6.Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +10.264s
7.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +10.458s
8.James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +12.296s
9.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +20.503s
10.Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +25.097s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2 result:
1.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
2.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.040s
3.Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.129s
4.Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +11.425s
5.Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +12.268s
6.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +12.432s
7.Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +14.733s
8.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +14.911s
9.Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +15.733s
10.Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +27.365s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, standings after Snetterton:
1.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 165
2.Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 101
3.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 98
4.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 91
5.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 79
6.Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 72
The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship take place at Knockhill on July 6/7/8. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Leon Haslam
(JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
Double race winner
“To win, especially at Snetterton, which is a tough weekend normally for me is great. I had a fantastic battle with both Jake and with Josh, and the run to the line was a little bit hairy but to come away with two wins makes me happy.
“The collision with Josh was one of those things, he kind-of hooked my arm. It was bad because he obviously dived underneath me and got a really bad exit, so I was always beating him to the line and we clipped arms as he swung to the left. But I’m just so happy, JG Speedfit Kawasaki have worked so hard over the winter getting that soft tyre to last.
“Every year I say to my dad I’m going to win here for Father’s Day and this year I’ve managed to do it for him so Happy Father’s Day!”
Josh Brookes
(McAMS Yamaha)
First podium finish of the season
“Race two was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. Even though I came third I still enjoyed being part of the battle. Finally, we’re in a position to battle once again.
“Of course I love winning but I love riding my bike as well and when I’m fighting around places where I don’t feel like I belong it’s quite frustrating, so now to actually be in the chase and the fight for the podium is really good.
“Leon came past and I just tried to fight back straight away. I didn’t want to let him get away; I just wanted to try to stuff his race up, to create the battle. And when he was in front he wasn’t massively pulling away, we were both suffering from rear grip so it was fairly even stevens.
“It was always going to be a roll of the dice and see what happens. Certainly I came out of the last corner thinking I had a chance but I wasn’t exactly sure and I went over to the left because I thought Leon would be closing in on that side but he came past far quicker than I anticipated.
“Obviously if we were going the same speed and we bumped into each other not a lot would happen, but as he was coming past with a good slingshot it almost took my handlebar out from under me. Lucky we both stayed on our bikes and brought it home for a great finish. I actually thought Jake had snuck past the both of us but I saw Leon park it in number one spot so anyway happy enough with third.
“I’m happy for the McAMS Yamaha team and it seemed like a great race from behind the visor – I get the impression it was good to watch!”
More, from a press release issued by McAMS Yamaha:
PODIUM DELIGHT AS BROOKES RETURNS TO THE ROSTRUM AND INTO THE BSB SHOWDOWN!
Snetterton proved a strong weekend for the McAMS Yamaha squad, as Josh Brookes battled for the lead to claim his first podium finish of the season, whilst Tarran Mackenzie secured his best ever result in the opening race with a strong sixth. McAMS Yamaha Superstock 1000 rider Matt Truelove took his best result of the season with 11th place.
After a lengthy break in Bennetts British Superbike Championship action, the McAMS Yamaha duo of Josh Brookes and Tarran Mackenzie wasted no time in getting up to speed; finishing fourth and seventh respectively after free practice. Moving into qualifying, Tarran was able to set his fastest time around the Snetterton circuit to secure 15th on the grid whilst Josh secured his best qualifying of the season to take a front row start in second.
Despite the threat of rain hanging overhead for the opening race, both riders enjoyed a strong start with Josh running in the leading group whilst ‘Taz’ picked his way through the field. Battling for third place throughout the 16 lap race, it came down to the final drag to the line as Josh narrowly missed out on a podium by 0.151s. Battling with far more experienced riders, Tarran continued to move forward to eventually claim sixth place; his best result in the series so far.
Bringing confidence from race one, Brookes stormed to an early lead in the second outing to hold off Leon Haslam for much of the race. In the final laps with his tyres at the edge of adhesion, Haslam got by and the duo were joined by a hard charging Jake Dixon, with everything building up to a final corner showdown! Brookes went under Haslam to retake the lead but a coming together before the line demoted the Aussie to third, his first podium of the year. This strong weekend also put Josh into the elite top six Showdown positions. Taz was frustrated to suffer a race two technical problem but still managed to root for his teammate in the pit garage.
In the Pirelli Superstock 1000 class Matt Truelove put his woes from earlier rounds behind him to have a great battle throughout with riders such as series stalwart Michael Rutter. A strong points scoring finish of 11th saw his smile return and give him a springboard for the next events.
Local Norfolk rider Ryan Vickers took yet another Pirelli Superstock 600 win on his Mototechniks Yamaha YZF-R6. The youngster now sits a whopping 33 points ahead of his rivals, despite missing a round.
A happy yet pragmatic Josh Brookes said; “That was a fantastic race. I really enjoyed that one and it’s great to finally be back in a position to battle for the lead. The team have done a fantastic job all weekend and although the win would have been nice, I’m happy with third to be honest. We’re looking to carry this momentum forward into the other races.”
Tarran Mackenzie enthused; “I’m really chuffed with race one and our overall pace. We were only ten seconds behind the leader at the flag and I got to race with some real top lads so it was a great experience. On to my family circuit of Knockhill next!”
Matt Truelove said; “We needed a strong points scoring ride today so that was ideal. I wish there had been another couple of laps as we were gaining on the guys in front.”
Ryan Vickers explained; “It was great to take the win but I actually made it harder for myself with some set-up changes which meant we didn’t feel as comfortable as in practice. But 25 points and a decent series lead, so got to be happy!”
Team Manager Grant Bunting summed up; “This has been our strongest weekend yet from all our riders so we’re happy. Both Superbike lads were strong throughout practice and we had a good feeling. We’ve had some extra support from Yamaha this weekend and that’s definitely helped. Josh looked like he had a win in him which has got us all buzzing. Taz continued his stellar Rookie rise and we’re a bit gutted for him having a technical, as he had the pace to do well again. It was a strong weekend for Matt which was heartening and our supported rider Ryan continued to dominate. So a good weekend all round!”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:
Glenn Secures Snetterton Podium, Andrew In Top Ten
The Be Wiser Ducati team of Glenn and Andrew Irwin endured mixed fortunes at round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton today with Glenn taking the best finish of the day with a close second place in the opening race to claim a valuable podium.
The Ulsterman unfortunately then got caught up in another rider’s accident in race two at the Norfolk track which denied him the opportunity of a second podium on the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R for Paul Bird’s Cumbrian team whilst younger brother Andrew claimed a best finish of tenth.
Starting from the front row of the grid for the opening 16-lap race, a good start by Glenn saw him immediately grab second place and there he remained until lap ten. With the fastest lap of the race, Irwin had been right behind pole setter Bradley Ray when the Suzuki rider crashed out.
That promoted Glenn into the lead, but he was eventually caught by Kawasaki rider Leon Haslam in the final third of the race. Try as he might, Glenn was unable to regain the lead, but second place was an extremely strong start to the day.
The Carrickfergus rider started race two from pole position although he slipped back to fourth on the opening lap. The race then settled down with just over a second covering the top five but by half race distance, Glenn had moved back up into fourth after overtaking Jake Dixon. However, shortly afterwards, Glenn’s race ended after Ray crashed out and took him down as well.
For team-mate Andrew, also from Carrickfergus, the opening race was very much a baptism of fire and, unfortunately, he only got as far as the second corner when he crashed out escaping injury, but collected Michael Laverty, Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran in the ensuing melee.
It meant he had to start the second race from the back of the grid, but he quickly moved up to 12th. By that time, however, the riders ahead of him had opened up a sizeable gap but with Glenn and Bradley Ray crashing out, he eventually crossed the line in tenth place for his first BSB points.
Glenn Irwin: “Most riders opted for the softer rear tyre in the first race, but Bradley was setting a fast pace, so I felt that I had to go with him although he crashed out, it meant I didn’t quite have as much grip left at the end of the race compared to Leon. I tried to respond when he came by but although the Ducati’s good on the tyres, I need to learn how to manage them towards the end of the race although second place was a good way to start the day. I learned a lot in the race and in the second race, I felt really comfortable and could see everyone was using more of the tyre than I was. I felt sure our first race win of 2018 would be coming our way but, unfortunately, Bradley made a mistake and we both ended up crashing out. It’s extremely frustrating to be taken out by someone else’s mistake but we’ve proved we were competitive today and the team have done a great job.”
Andrew Irwin: “It’s been a contrasting day and what had been a really good weekend got interrupted by the first race crash which was my mistake and something I immediately apologised for. Tenth place in the second race made up for it and although it was maybe a lucky top ten, you must finish races to score points. I’m really looking forward to Knockhill now and feel that I’m ready to make the next step. Finishing the weekend strongly is very positive so we can hopefully carry the momentum on to the next round and with a full race distance now under my belt, I know what BSB is like and where I can improve. My fitness isn’t in doubt, but I need to increase my strength as muscling a Superbike around is very different to a 600!”
Johnny Mowatt, Team Coordinator: “It’s been a mixed bag for both riders today, but Glenn obviously put in a great ride in race one and was looking on course for more of the same in race two until Bradley crashed out which was a great shame but a racing incident. Andrew made a rookie mistake in race one and it’s something that’s happened before and will happen again in the future. He underestimated the bike with a full tank of fuel and had no choice but to lay the bike down so we’re sorry that three other riders were involved. He put together a solid ride in race two and a top ten finish was very pleasing so full credit to him. We gathered plenty of data and it gives him a good platform to build on.”
More, from a press release issued by Smiths Racing:
Season’s Best So Far For Hickman And Barrier
Fresh from their successful exploits at the Isle of Man TT Races, the Gloucester-based Smiths Racing BMW Team were back in Bennetts British Superbike Championship action this weekend with round four of the series taking place at Snetterton in Norfolk where both Peter Hickman and Sylvain Barrier recorded their best results of the season.
Qualifying proved to be a challenging affair for the team with Peter lining up in 17th place for race one and Sylvain three places further back which gave them plenty of work to do around the 2.99-mile circuit. However, both riders made great starts to their respective races with Lincoln rider Hickman up to eighth at the end of lap one and Frenchman Barrier 11th.
A period of three laps had to be taken behind the safety car but when racing resumed, Peter was able to move up to seventh where he remained until the chequered flag. And although Sylvain slipped back two places by the conclusion of the race, 13th place gave him his first championship points of the season.
The duo both had better starting positions for race two but although Louth-based Hickman completed the opening lap in ninth, a clash with another rider resulted in Barrier being pushed onto the grass and back down to 19th.
However, from that moment on, both riders were able to make steady progress forward and by half race distance, they were in sixth and 15th place respectively. A crash at the front of the field promoted them up the order two places but a final lap sort-out saw Peter eventually cross the line in sixth place. Nevertheless, it was still his best result of the season and with Sylvain in the points again in 14th, it completed a good day for the team.
Peter Hickman: “I’m happy enough with the weekend and although qualifying was pretty rubbish, I managed to rectify that in both races. I got a bit lucky in race one with a few riders crashing out and from starting in 17th, I was up into eighth after just a couple of laps! Once there though, my pace was good, and I kept chipping away whilst it was a similar story in race two. Snetterton was our poorest circuit in 2017 so to come away this weekend with two good results is pleasing and whilst I’m still not in the positions I’d like to be in, we’ve made good progress. It hasn’t been easy coming here straight after the TT but the whole team have done well so hopefully this kick starts our season.”
Sylvain Barrier: “We made some big changes to the chassis after qualifying which got us back to a good base setting and overall, it’s been a positive weekend. I’m still at least half a second away from the group of riders I’d like to be dicing with, but we’ve made a good step in the right direction and I’ve really enjoyed riding the bike this weekend. If I hadn’t been pushed off the track in race two, which lost me six seconds, it could have been a better result but, it’s been a positive weekend, I just need to be a bit faster now!”
Darren Jones, Team Coordinator: “It hasn’t been easy coming straight here after the TT, but it’s been a pretty good weekend at a track which doesn’t really suit us. Sixth and seventh were good results for Pete and we made quite a few changes to the bike which made him a lot happier. Sylvain now feels that he’s got a bike he can enjoy riding and it’s great to see him get his first points of the season. We have tests now planned at Knockhill and Cadwell Park, so we’ll be looking to maintain the momentum and have more of the same, or ideally better, at the next round.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda BSB Racing Press Office:
DAN LINFOOT DIGS DEEP IN SNETTERTON COMEBACK
It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for the Honda Racing team as the fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place at Snetterton. With both Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran reunited with the squad, the plan for the weekend was to build and collect points aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.
Unfortunately the first race of the day ended abruptly for Honda’s duo, after a solid qualifying for both riders they lined up on the grid with Linfoot sixth and O’Halloran tenth. Both riders received a good start off the line, but the race came to an end at turn two, on lap one, when the pair were involved in an incident on track and taken out by another rider.
Linfoot was left unhurt from the incident, but the ‘The O’Show’ was taken to the medical centre and already nursing an injury, was declared unfit to take part in the second race. Although no further injuries were found, the MSV medical team have advised O’Halloran to be checked out by his specialist as a precaution.
With unfinished business after race one, Linfoot went into the second race on a mission. Starting from 11th on the grid, the 29-year old made the most of the CBR’s power and started picking off his rivals. During the closing stages of the race he took fourth place and scored the fastest lap of the race on the final lap (1:49.005).
Eventually crossing the line fourth, he collected vital points towards the overall championship where he’s now sitting 11th. Having been away from racing for nine weeks after an accident at the second round, Linfoot impressed with his pace and progress throughout the weekend.
The Honda team will now regroup and focus on an upcoming test at Knockhill, before heading back to Scotland for the fifth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, which takes place 6-8 July.
#4
Dan Linfoot
I started the first race sixth on the grid, but that didn’t last very long! I made a good start, but as I’m rusty on the bike I didn’t brake very well in to turn one, I went into the second turn and had a clatter from behind and that was me down the road, taken out by another rider. I’m disappointed as we had a good qualifying and there was potential there for a good race, but more importantly I needed a race under my belt to get my confidence back. I was 11th on the grid for the second race, we got an average start and I settled into the group I was in; there was an immediate gap at the front to us, so I just settled into the group and set a target that if I was the first rider home in my group I’d be happy. Towards the end of the race I made better pace and found another level; it helps to have a fast bike! We finished fourth, which is more than I expected to be honest on my comeback and we’ve collected good points to start moving up in the standings. What’s positive is that we finished at the front with very little bike time, so with the test at Knockhill then more days on the Fireblade we should be ready for a podium or two at the next round!
#22
Jason O’Halloran
My weekend at Snetterton hasn’t really gone to plan, with the incident in race one and my race coming to a premature end! Unfortunately I was taken out on the second corner of the first lap and was declared unfit for the second race. I am majorly disappointed, it’s been a crazy five weeks to even get here and then to do what we did yesterday, just missing out on Q3. We had pretty strong pace and I was feeling good coming into the race and hoping to score some points. It’s disappointing not to finish and not to be able to take part in the second race, but sadly this is bike racing and sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan. It’s such a shame as I love Snetterton and I know if I was 100% fit, this weekend would have been a completely different story, but for now I have to focus on the next round – we have three weeks, so it’s back on the rehab train for me and make sure I’m fit and ready to go at Knockhill.
Havier Beltran
Team Manager
It’s been a mixed weekend for us at Snetterton. Race one was devastating for both Dan and Jason with the incident at turn two, it was clearly not their fault and for both riders to go out in that way, on their return to racing after injuries was just devastating. Jason has taken a knock to his arm and a bash to his foot, he’s a bit battered and bruised but I know he’ll bounce back from this – I wish him a speedy recovery. It was a great result for Dan in the second race, he had a good start and wasn’t too far away, he slowly chipped away throughout the race. As he’s said across the weekend, he’s riding in a different area at the moment as he’s not 100% fit, but I think there’s a lot more to come from him this season. I’m happy with the set-up this weekend and what we’ve managed to achieve under the circumstances, so it’ll now be all systems go as we look ahead to the test at Knockhill and then the next round in the series.