COATES GRABS SUZUKI GSX-R CUP WIN May 29, 2005. British ‘wild card’ rider Adrian Coates won the second round of the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 European Cup at Silverstone today, but it was runner-up, South African Hudson Kennaugh who scooped the maximum 25 points. Kennaugh made a superb start and led the 25-rider field away at the beginning of the 12-lap race. At the end of lap one, Coates – who wasn’t eligible for points – David Johnson, Carmelo Morales and Ismael Ortega led the charge behind with Coates pushing harder and harder as the race progressed. But although Coates turned on the pressure, Kennaugh led until the ninth lap when the British rider surged to the front. Kennaugh stayed with the Briton and waited for an opportunity: He closed in many times but was unable to make the decisive move back into the lead. In the end, Coates crossed the line nearly two seconds ahead of Kennaugh with Johnson third just a fraction of a second behind. Third place went to another ‘wild card’ Johnson with Spaniard Morales fourth ahead of fellow countrymen Ortega and first round winner David Salom, France’s David Fouloi, Italian Danilo Dell’omo, Briton Robert Barber and Italian ‘wild card’ Simone Castellani. Said Coates: “I got a good start but Kennaugh went past me off the start. I sat in behind and found a couple of places where I was faster and planned to use these at the end of the race but Morales passed me. I sat in behind him for few laps then passed him and Kennaugh, then banged in a couple of fast laps and then a steady last lap. “I’m very pleased and had a great weekend. This is a brilliant championship and we were treated like kings and thanks to Suzuki GB and Andy Parr for offering me the opportunity to ride.” Johnson said: “It was a tight race. I thought it was all over when Morales ran in to me into the ‘Esses’ on the first lap! Other than that it was a tidy race and I’m glad to get my first international podium.” Barber, who now holds eighth in the series said: “The race went well and I’ve got on really well with the tyre change. The last lap was one of the best I’ve ever done and there is loads more to come from me and the bike.” British Team Manager and Suzuki GB representative Andy Parr was delighted with his riders’ performances and said: “I’m obviously really pleased with how things have gone this weekend. The results couldn’t have been better: Kennaugh and Morales gave us one or two scares through the race but it just goes to show the amount of talent there is in the Suzuki European Cup. Many of these riders wouldn’t be out of place on the WSB grid!” The third round of the GSX-R European Cup takes place at the Misano World Superbike Championship round in Italy on June 26th. Silverstone Results: 1 Adrian Coates (GB), 2 Hudson Kennaugh (South Africa), 3 David Johnson (GB), 4 Carmelo Morales (Spain), 5 Ismael Ortega (Spain), 6 David Salom (Spain), 7 David Fouloi (France), 8 Danilo Dell’omo (Italy), 9 Robert Barber (GB), 10 Simone Castellani (Italy). Championship Points (after 2 of 5 rounds): 1 Hudson Kennaugh (South Africa) 45, 2 David Salom (Spain) 38, 3 Carmelo Morales (Spain) 33, 4 David Fouloi (France) 27, 5 Ismael Ortega (Spain) 25, 6 Joshua Noel Forster (Australia) 16, 7 Dominic Lammert (Germany) 14, 8 Robert Barber (GB) 13, 9 Mike Edwards (GB) 11, 10 Xavier Simeon (Belgium) 11.