Tommy Hill increased his lead significantly in the British Superbike Championship by taking a race victory and second place in today’s Thruxton second round. With an identical scorecard to the Brands Hatch opener, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider again put together a commanding performance in race one and then backed it up with a strong performance in race two, limiting his risks and building his Championship lead. Team mate Yukio Kagayama also built on his front-row qualifying; dicing for the lead in race one and showing – as he did in the Cartegena winter tests – that he has speed the equal of his Hill. After a third-placed finish in the first outing, Kagayama was promising better still for the second race, but it wasn’t to be: Riding on identical bike settings to the first race – as was Hill’s machine – Kagayama’s rear tyre developed a severe loss of grip after just three laps and never recovered, but he fought on to finish a creditable 11th for a precious handful of points. Tommy Hill: “There’s not much to say! Another two fantastic results and to come away with a much bigger Championship lead is a great bonus. I’ve been a bit stiff today after that 120mph highside yesterday but, to be honest; once you’re on the bike and the adrenalin is flowing you don’t notice it. “It was good to have Yukio up there this weekend and properly racing – and if he gave it to me I gave it to him back! But that’s exactly how racing should be; we’re team-mates in the pits, but we’re competitors on the track and I think we’re both really looking forward to Oulton Park.” Yukio Kagayama: “That first race was so enjoyable; a return to normality. The result is not so bad, but could have been better: At one point I was leading but near the end there I lost a second on Tommy and Josh, and while I got it back, it was too late. But great to be on the podium. “For race two, what can I say? The rear tyre felt like it punctured and after five laps, my race was finished. I carried on but the feeling was very scary and it was very difficult, but I raced for some points. After everything, I am happy; the bike and the Team are working very well and I’m looking forward to Oulton Park – as unlike the track here, I can remember much about it.” Jack Valentine – Team Manager: “It’s been a cracking day. Tommy’s had a day much like he did at Brands Hatch; putting in a great performance in the first race then playing the long game in the second, taking the points and building the Championship lead. Yukio was right on it today, to the point where I was getting nervous as he and Tommy started slugging it out! Yukio was looking good in that second race too, but tyre issues put him out quite early on. “Tommy retaining and building on his Championship lead is a great way to finish the weekend. But we’re far from complacent – it’s a long season and Tommy knows he can’t afford to relax. Yukio has shown that he’s got the pace and being just 15 points outside the top six he’s still very much in the frame for being in the showdown at the year end.” MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Thruxton: Race one: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.818s 3. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.185s 4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.510s 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +5.670s 6. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.490s 7. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +9.154s 8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +9.300s 9. Ryuichi Kiyonarrri (HM Plant Honda) +9.493s 10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +17.014s Race two: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.391s 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +7.112s 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.146s 5. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.263s 6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +7.789s 7. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +8.241s 8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +10.378s 9. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.218s 10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +12.240s 11. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +17.507s Championship points (after 2 rounds): 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 90 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 56 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 50 4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) 41 5. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 40 11. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 25 More, from another press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Relentless by TAS Suzuki will take the positives from a tough weekend at Thruxton during the second round of the 2010 British Superbike Championship today after overcoming practice crashes by both team riders. Michael Laverty – 10th & 6th – and Alastair Seeley – 12th & 9th – battled courageously after qualifying crashes and a number of minor problems during both races, to score solid points that keeps them both in the top-10 and at the sharp-end in the Championship table as Seeley currently slots into fifth and Laverty 10th. Laverty’s 10th place in race one, from row five on the grid, whilst riding around a serious rear tyre problem, was a terrific performance, but his second race top-six finish could so easily have been a debut podium – losing out by 0.6sec at the chequered flag, this time from the third row of the grid. Seeley (pictured) took a gamble with set-up in race one and the series rookie battled to 12th place. For the second outing he reverted to his qualifying set-up, and although he found Thruxton a tough proposition on his full Superbike debut, ninth place keeps him well in the Championship hunt. Michael Laverty: “After the tyre problem in race one, 10th place was a decent result considering the circumstances. Race two was much better, although I took a bit long to pass Alastair and my brother John, but my pace over the last 10 laps was the same as the leaders. With a good starting position today I could have challenged for the win, but again I can take a lot of positives from race day. We have the pace but just not the luck yet. We will regroup before Oulton with a test planned and come back even stronger. I would like to thank the whole team for their efforts this weekend; they have had to work so hard and endure a lot of setbacks.” Alastair Seeley: “I tried a different set-up for the first race but it didn’t work for me, so we reverted back to the old set-up for race two. It all hooked up a lot better and instead of the tyre going off at half distance, we were right on the money until it deteriorated about four laps from the end. The track control works overtime around here and it’s a tough circuit to perfect your set-up on. At least we got more points in the bag and remain top-five in the Championship. Thanks to all the boys in the team as it’s been a tough weekend with all the travel problems and burning the midnight oil fixing bikes.” Philip Neill – BSB Team Principal: “It’s been a tough weekend for the whole team for a number of reasons, but we will take the positives from Thruxton. We haven’t come away with the results we had hoped for after a strong start on Friday, where the both boys posted top-three times, but we scored solid points today. “Both riders started the weekend with a lot of confidence but their crashes during practice set them back a bit and we also had our fair share of little problems – not least an all-night session for the boys to rebuild Michael’s bike after it’s excursion over the infamous Thruxton kerbs. With flights cancelled, Alastair also had a long drive to the circuit from Northern Ireland at the last minute, which isn’t ideal preparation, but something that couldn’t be avoided. “Michael needs a lot of credit for his efforts this weekend: He rode around a chatter problem in race one due to an out-of-balance tyre, which in turn affected his grid position for race two. From the halfway point on in the second outing he showed us just why he is regarded as one of the most talented riders in the Championship, narrowly missing out on the podium. “Alastair had a Baptism of Fire on his first Superbike ride here, but it is a daunting circuit for evvven the most experienced riders and bike set-up is very specific. Maybe we fell into the trap of trying to find the perfect set-up but we have learned from it. I’m glad Thruxton is over and we can now focus on Oulton Park in two weeks time.” Race 1: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.818s 3. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.185s 4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.510s 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +5.670s 6. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.490s 7. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +9.154s 8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +9.300s 9. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +9.493s 10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +17.014s 12.  Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) Race 2 Results: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.391s 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +17.112s 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.146s 5. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.263s 6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +7.789s 7. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +8.241s 8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +10.378s 9. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.218s 10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +12.240s More, from a press release issued by GNS Racing: MIXED FORTUNES FOR GNS RACING AT THRUXTON GNS Racing endured a weekend of mixed fortunes at the second round of the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Championship held at a sun-kissed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire today. Following a superb debut victory for the team at Brands Hatch over Easter, Lincoln rider Sam Lowes was hoping to continue his winning form and to extend his series lead at the Southampton-based team’s local track and after qualifying his 600cc Honda in sixth place on the grid he ran with the leading bunch for the opening half of the race. Looking set to challenge for the victory and after setting a second successive circuit lap record, Lowes unfortunately crashed out on lap 12 meaning he didn’t add to his 25 points scored in the opening round and as a result dropped to fourth in the series. It was much better news for teenager Paul Jordan who continued his great start to the season with a second podium in the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Cup. The young Ulsterman claimed a fine 13th place overall and with it second place in the Cup to hold third overall in the standings going into the next round at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Sam Lowes: “The team have done a mega job this weekend again and I’m gutted that we couldn’t bring the bike home and get the result we feel we all deserved. My plan was to get the first five laps done cleanly and then press on and the plan went perfectly but just as I’d worked my way up to third, the bike began to overheat and the engine lost a bit of power. I re-grouped and kept plugging away and was still only half a second off the front three but I ran a little bit wide on a corner, onto the dusty part of the circuit and tucked the front and that was that. I felt really strong and was confident of another podium, at least, but it was an accident that could have happened to anyone. I’m disappointed now but I was riding well, I took another lap record and am still fourth in the Championship so everything’s still looking positive. My two favourite tracks are coming up next so I’ll be looking to repeat the Brands result at Oulton. Finally, a big thanks to the team and all my fans for another strong weekend and I’ll be doing everything to turn it all into a top result next time out.” Paul Jordan: “The bike was working great for me this weekend and I’m getting used to the 600cc bike all the time so I’m well pleased with the result. I didn’t get the greatest of starts but it was better than at Brands and although I had a couple of wee moments going into the first corner, I sorted them out as the race went on and just sat behind AJ ready to make my move on the last lap. It all went to plan perfectly and a big thank you to the team for all their support and effort this weekend, they played a huge part in getting me up there this weekend so roll on Oulton!” Gary Stubbington: “I’ve got to feel sorry for Sam, he was riding really well and putting together a great race. He didn’t get the best of starts but he bided his time and gradually reeled the front group in so he was well placed going in to the final third of the race. Sadly, a technical problem caused the bike to overheat and as he pushed that little bit harder to make up for the slight loss of power he lost the front but it could have happened to anyone so I’m sure he’ll bounce back strongly for Oulton and be running back at the front again. As for Paul, in only his second Supersport race, we’re delighted for him and to come second in the Cup competition and 13th overall second time out is a fantastic result. Finally, a big thanks to all the sponsors and to everyone in the team who’ve worked hard again all weekend to get two great bikes out on to the grid.” Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport 600cc race (18 laps) 1 James Westmoreland (Yamaha) 23m23.215s 2 Graeme Gowland (Honda) +0.355s 3 Tom Grant (Yamaha) +0.369s 4 Billy McConnell (Yamaha) +4.712s 5 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha) +7.135s 6 Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +8.035s 7 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +8.545s 8 Chris Martin (Kawasaki) +10.830s 9 Lee Johnston (Kawasaki) +17.988s 10 Jason OHalloran (Triumph) +18.879s 13 Paul Jordan (Honda) +26.283s DNF Sam Lowes – 12 laps Championship Positions 1 Westmoreland 45 points 2 Gowland 31 3 McConnell 29 4 Lowes 25 5 Grant 23 6 OHalloran 19 18 Jordan 3 (3rd in Cup 36 points) More, from a press release issued by Swan Honda: EASTON SECURES PODIUM FINISH FOR SWAN HONDA Stuart Easton secured his first podium finish of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season at Thruxton this afternoon following an epic battle for the final podium position, which has now elevated him to third in the overall standings. Easton had one of his customary fast starts off the front row in the opening race, but later dropped to fourth and then fought his way to third place in the second race as he battled with the two Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducatis of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp. Easton said: “Race one was a difficult one for me as the balance of the bike wasn’t the best; it was good on the brakes but we suffered with it feeling loose turning into corners and that showed in our lap times. I was happy to salvage fourth, as that is another strong points scoring finish for us and it all helps. The lap times were not so fast because of it and I had to start from the third row in the second race, which put me at an obvious disadvantage. “In race two we solved the problem and I knew I had a lot of work to do and I wasn’t riding as smoothly as I would do normally as I wanted to get on the podium. I was up to third and started pulling in Josh and Tommy but by that point I had used the best from my tyres. I think my riding was in some places a bit erratic today and I have apologised for that, but some days you have to fight for the positions and today was one of those days.” James Ellison meanwhile underwent an operation last night to have his broken femur plated after his high-speed crash during the third free practice session at Thruxton on Saturday. He had been setting the pace until his crash at Goodwood and following his operation he is now fully focused on his recuperation over the forthcoming weeks. Ellison said: “I had my operation at 3am this morning and I have had a metal bar inserted in and now I just want to make a speedy recovery. I am hoping to start physio tomorrow and I am planning to get into one of the compression chambers as soon as possible as they help to speed up the healing progress. I can’t put any weight on the leg for the first week but I have movement in it so now my focus is on recuperation. “I am probably going to miss a few rounds but there is a summer break after the first Cadwell Park so I should be ready to come back after that. In terms of the championship and the rules the way they are now, I am confident that once I am back out there I can have some good finishes and still get in the top six for the Showdown. We will see how it goes and I will be keeping everyone updated with the progress I am making. I just want to thank everyone for all their support and messages since the crash and I am looking forward to getting back out there on the Swan Honda.” Team Manager Shaun Muir said: “At the end of the weekend we managed to salvage a reasonable position with Stuart finishing on the podium in the second race after what has been a difficult and trying round for the whole team. Stuart really battled for his two positions today and he was struggling with grip so it was a good result for him, especially in race two from so far back on the grid. The whole focus is on him with James not racing so a fourth and a third place is moving in the right direction now after a wobbly start to the season after his crash. “We are obviously bitterly disappointed about James’ injury and we are still coming to terms with it. He has had his operation so we now have to wait and see how his condition progresses; this is the difficult part as it is just a waiting game for everyone.” MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Thruxton, race one: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.818s 3. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.185s 4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.510s 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +5.670s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Thruxton, race two result: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.391s 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +17.112s 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.146s 5. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.263s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Thruxton: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 90 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 56 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 50 4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) 41 5. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 40 More, from a press release issued by Honda: MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Round Two Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 18 April Track temp 28c Air temp 17c Wind direction North West, 3mph, light Brookes takes maiden BSB race victory to move into second place in standings Josh Brookes powered in his first victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship for the HM Plant Honda team on the back of running a close second to the series leading Tommy Hill in the opening race at Thruxton. Honda riders excelled at the fast Hampshire circuit, and in the opening race Stuart Easton set the pace on the Swan backed CBR1000RR running out front for half distance before being taken by Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama. Easton was then under pressure from Brookes, with pole-starter Hill running a close fourth amid some close fought slip-streaming battles. Brookes moved ahead at three quarters distance with Hill overcoming Kagayama to close down the leading Honda rider. Going into the tight left-right Club Chicane on the penultimate lap, Hill timed his move to perfection, nosing his Suzuki ahead and then winning the dash to the line by 0.818secs ahead of Brookes. Kagayama took third with Easton, complaining of lack of grip running fourth, but the Scot’s team made changes to his bike for the second race in an effort to overcome that problem. Ryuichi Kiyonari, on the second HM Plant Honda had a torrid time. The Japanese star started from a lowly 13th place on the grid, struggling to find his rhythm in a red flag strewn qualifying session. ‘Kiyo’ finished a brave ninth in the race suffering with rear grip issues. The grid for the second race was formed, under the new for this season rules, on the basis of fastest race laps in the opener. This gave Brookes a front row start and he made the perfect getaway, leading throughout as Hill tried everything he knew to find a way past. Brookes held on, taking the victory by 0.391secs, his first since arriving on the British scene at the start of last season and giving the HM Plant team their first BSB victory since Silverstone in 2008. It was also the first victory by an Australian in the series since Troy Bayliss won at Cadwell Park in 1999. Kiyonari ended the day with a smile on his face. The team technician had refined the set up of his HM Plant CBR1000RR that gave the Japanese rider a confidence boost that enabled him to push hard and score a fine fourth place. . Hill leads the title chase 90-56 points over Brookes, while Easton move 50-41 ahead of his hospitalised team-mate James Ellison. Kiyonari holds fifth place on 40 points He crashed heavily, and at high speed, on Saturday morning, during the third period of free practice. Ellison had been fastest, running at lap record pace the previous day, and was maintaining that speed when disaster struck for him on the long, sweeping Goodwood right-hander. The front end stepped out of line, and Ellison was thrown over the top, sliding some 120 meters along the track and grass-run off area. He sustained a broken right femur, and after treatment at the circuit, was moved to the nearby hospital in Winchester where he underwent surgery to pin the broken bone. Ellison, remarkably, is in good spirits, and on Sunday morning he sent a message out on a social networking site saying: “I’ve got a bar going through my femur right now, so I am on the mend already.” There is optimism that the Cumbrian rider could be back in action for the Mallory Park round over the weekend of 25-27 June, meaning that he misses only the Oulton Park and Cadwell Park meetings, and with the points scoring system introduced into the series this year, that would still give Ellison the opportunity to score sufficient points to secure a place in the top six “Title Fighters” category in the shoot-out for the crown over the final nine races. The Swan Honda team has still to decide if they will field a replacement rider for Ellison in the third round at Oulton Park over the May 1/2/3 Bank Holiday weekend. BSB Honda rider quotes After the first race: Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) second: “I was feeling good and confident, picking up places and able to pass, and then making moves stick to get into the lead. It was good fun out there, but my tyre was spinning up when Tommy Hill came past me. I have felt confident about the bike since we started testing we are moving forwards with the package, still learning, but getting stronger.” Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) fourth: “Like everyone I was struggling with tyres and grip problems we are trying a couple of things for the next race, to put a bit more weight onto the back of the bike to try and give more grip.” Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda): “Couldn’t push on, grip problem very difficult.” After the second race: Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) winner: “It feels pretty good I’ve waited a long time for this. The bike has been good all weekend and I was able to lead all of the way. I could feel Tommy breathing down my neck but I knew that I didn’t make any mistakes, then the race was mine. I always knew that I was capable of doing this, and now I have the trophy to prove it.” Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) third: “We solved the problem and I knew I had a lot of work to do and I wasn’t riding as smoothly as normal. I was up to third and started pulling in Josh and Tommy but by that point I had used the best from my tyres. I think my riding was in some places a bit erratic but some days you have to fight for the positions.” Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) fourth: “Early on Easton came past me at the Complex and I went a bit wide, losing a lot of places. After that it was difficult to settle but I battled hard for third place I thought my tyre was finished but everyone else was in the same position.” James Ellison (Swan Honda): “I had surgery overnight, having a metal bar inserted into the top of my hip to repair the break and now I am hoping for a speedy recovery and will be looking to begin physiotherapy early, and also trying to get into a compression chamber to aid recovery. I can’t put any pressure on the leg for the first week, but there is movement. I will miss the races up to the May Cadwell Park meeting, and after that there is a long summer break, and I aim to be back after that. I’m confident that I can fight my way back into the top six after the August Cadwell Park round to be in a position to go for the title.”