Johnson wins third International Challenge race as Australia takes another inch on UK

Australia’s David Johnson (Suzuki) has scored a runaway win in the third International Challenge race at the 2018 AMCN Island Classic at Phillip Island.

The polesitter was in a class of his own as he bolted from the start and completed the six-lap race with just over four seconds to spare over UK rider Jeremy McWilliams (Yamaha), with the podium completed by another Australian punter, Paul Byrne (Suzuki).

With three other Australian riders also finishing inside the top 10, Australia extended its lead in the 2018 International Challenge over the UK by 1pt and now heads into the fourth and final race with 7pts (515 to 508) to spare over the defending champion. America is third on 389pts from New Zealand (255pts).

The race began in dramatic circumstances when Aussie tyro Troy Corser (Honda) was forced to start from pit lane by officials after he didn’t leave pit lane before the exit was closed. The fired-up two-time WorldSBK champion then had to carve his way through the pack and eventually finished in eighth position – and with the second fastest lap of the race behind Johnson.

UK pair Glen Richards (Yamaha) and Dan Linfoot (Honda) were fourth and fifth, ahead of Aussie Beau Beaton (Irving Vincent) and another UK rider, Peter Hickman (Yamaha).

The UK’s Michael Rutter (Yamaha) and American Colin Edwards (Yamaha) saw out the top 10, the latter holding down second position for the first couple of laps.

American Jason Pridmore (Yamaha) was the biggest casualty in race three, with his bike expiring on the last lap while he held onto third position.

In the battle for individual honours, Johnson leads on 119pts from four-time winner McWilliams (117), Richards (114), Byrne (104) and Corser (103).

The fourth and final race will be held this afternoon.

Race three results: MV Agusta International Challenge

1. David Johnson, AUS

2. Jeremy McWilliams, UK

3. Paul Byrne, AUS

4. Glen Richards, UK

5. Dan Linfoot, UK

6. Beau Beaton, AUS

7. Peter Hickman, UK

8. Troy Corser, AUS

9. Michael Rutter, UK

10. Colin Edwards, USA

MV AGUSTA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE: POINTS AFTER RACE THREE OF FOUR

1 AUSTRALIA 515

2. UK 508

3. USA 389

4. NZ 255

American Rider Notes: Colin Edwards finished 10th, with Jake Zemke 12th, Barrett Long 17th, Edwin Haazer 21st, Robert Ruwoldt 23rd, and Dave Crussell 24th. Pridmore was an official DNF and was listed 25th in the results, 1 lap down.