Brands Hatch set for Easter epic as the MCE British Superbike Championship returns to Kent
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Brands Hatch this Easter weekend and Leon Haslam has the target on his back after scoring the opening victories of the season ahead of the two races on the fast and frantic 1.2-mile Indy circuit.
Haslam began his attack on the title in the best possible way, however with five different riders featuring on the podium at the opening round, the ‘Pocket Rocket’ knows the opposition is going to be fierce this Easter Monday.
Brands Hatch marks the return of local hero and defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne who was sidelined from the opening two races after a high-speed crash in warm up. The Be Wiser Ducati rider has strong home support at Brands Hatch and is fired up to bounce back from a non-point scoring opening round.
Luke Mossey claimed a second place finish to his team-mate at the season opener and he arrives in Kent holding second in the overall standings, just two points ahead of Christian Iddon, who also claimed a top three finish for Tyco BMW. Mossey and Iddon have not yet tasted victory in MCE BSB so both are going to be pushing hard to change that this weekend.
2015 champion Josh Brookes proved his doubters wrong with a resurgent performance on his return to the series that saw him celebrate a podium finish – the first for the Anvil Hire TAG team since switching to Yamaha. The Australian lies equal on points with Iddon ahead of the two races and will take no prisoners in his mission to return to winning ways.
Glenn Irwin was the fifth rider to score a podium finish at Donington Park for the season opener and the Be Wiser Ducati rider will be eager to maintain his position ahead of the Smiths Racing BMW’s Peter Hickman and McAMS Yamaha’s James Ellison in the standings.
The Brands Hatch Indy circuit event holds fond memories for Sylvain Guintoli and the Frenchman will be eager to repeat his winning performance from 2009 after missing out at the season opener for Bennetts Suzuki. As will his former World Superbike Championship rival Davide Giugliano as he aims for more with Tyco BMW.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings ahead of Brands Hatch:
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 50
Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 31
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 29
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 29
Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 26
Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 21
James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) 21
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 12
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com