Mirror.co.uk
Video exclusive: Behind the scenes at Cadwell Park II
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Wednesday, 8th September 2010, 15:17 GMTRound 9 of the MCE British Superbike Championship saw the paddock return to Cadwell Park for another weekend of fantastic racing action. Once again, the Mirror.co.uk cameras were there to take you behind the scenes at one of the biggest rounds of the 2010 BSB calendar.. CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Read article
Brookes goes fastest at Cadwell Park
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Saturday, 28th August 2010, 16:26 GMTHM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes topped the second free practice session of the day at Cadwell Park, as he set the first 1m:27s lap of the weekend to remain ahead of Simon Andrews who had been fastest this morning. Brookes set the fastest lap early in the session, before improving again to dip below a 1m:28s lap time and remained the only rider to do so as the conditions continued to change throughout the 50 minute second free practice. Andrews moved second ahead of Tommy Hill at the half-way point, however the MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider was able to hold the position with Ryuichi Kiyonari moving third as the rain began to fall to nudge Hill to fourth. Michael Rutter was fifth on the Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati, despite Gary Mason challenging for the position before the conditions changed and he was forced to settle for sixth whilst Yukio Kagayama improved to seventh. Michael Laverty was the fastest of the Relentless Suzukis in eighth ahead of the two Swan Hondas of James Ellison and Stuart Easton in ninth and tenth respectively. The final Title Fighter place will be decided following the races on Monday, but Alastair Seeley was only twelfth fastest, just ahead of rival John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki in thirteenth. Steve Brogan was the fastest of the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo riders in sixteenth. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, free practice two result: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 1m:27.945s 2. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +0.480s 3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.662s 4. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.680s 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.748s The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is the Showdown decider at Cadwell Park this Bank Holiday weekend (28/29/30 August). For more information visit www.cadwellpark.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000. Read article
Haydon’s inside line: Cadwell Park
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Thursday, 26th August 2010, 10:22 GMTCadwell Park is just fantastic and a real challenging circuit, no matter how good you are as a rider. This is a big round as it is the final one before the Showdown and there is that question over who will make the final place to become the sixth Title Fighter. I think it is really between Alastair Seeley and John Laverty as Stuart Easton will need some luck if he is to be the final one. It will be exciting to watch and to see whether there will be any strategies, but it is Alastair's to lose really I think. The top five in the standings might take a deep breath before this weekend as they have their places secured as Title Fighters and I think that maybe we could see an unusual or surprising result here this weekend. Having said that, the HM Plant Honda team were awesome there back in May and Kiyo and Josh Brookes surely are the ones to beat, however you know Tommy Hill will be pushing them all the way. Stuart Easton though needs to recapture his form of old, whether he makes the top six or not, and James Ellison on the second Swan Honda is definitely moving forward now since his injury. Tommy Bridewell has impressed me this year so we could see more of him this weekend, as this is the circuit he has scored his best result at so far this season. But it would be good of we could see the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team up their game this weekend; we saw that the bike has the potential, albeit a different spec at Brands Hatch with Tom Sykes, so it would be nice to see Simon Andrews or Gary Mason get up there. In the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo class the fight is really raging between Hudson Kennaugh and Steve Brogan, but my money would still be on Brogie so lets see what happens! See you there. James Read article
Brogie’s watch: Cadwell Park
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Thursday, 26th August 2010, 10:16 GMTHey y'all! I can't wait for this weekend - Cadwell Park is just awesome and hopefully now I have put all my bad luck at Brands Hatch behind me. That's racing, you have good and bad days but I was still disappointed that we didn't show our true potential. I am treating this round like it is the first round of the season as that is what it feels like! There are so few points between us that there is nothing to protect so I need to go out, get my head down and stay ahead of Hudson. The Jentin Racing-BMW hasn't changed since the last time we raced there, it just depends what Hudson can pull out of the bag. I will be riding at the limit and hopefully we can get that lead back in the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo standings. See you there, Brogie Read article
Sykes makes it a double
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Sunday, 8th August 2010, 20:21 GMTFormer BSB contender Tom Sykes celebrated his second victory of the weekend at Brands Hatch this afternoon as the Kawasaki World Superbike Championship team held off the challenges of Ryuichi Kiyonari and HM Plant Honda to win the final race. Michael Laverty got off to a flying start from the pole position but Kiyonari was tucked into second place and the HM Plant Honda rider seized the opportunity to pass on the run into Druids. Laverty then dropped another place to third as Sykes made the move on the exit of Surtees and moved to second on the drag race down to Hawthorn. Kiyonari was coming under pressure from Sykes, with the pair almost touching as they crossed the line to complete the opening lap. Sykes was later on the brakes into Paddock Hill Bend though and he stole the lead away from Kiyo. The HM Plant Honda rider then shadowed his Kawasaki World Superbike rival as he strived to regain the lead. Laverty lost third place to Michael Rutter on the second lap as the Relentless Suzuki rider had a moment coming out of Sheene Curve which forced him slightly wide and the 'Blade' used it to his advantage to move third. The Relentless Suzuki riders were battling hard as Laverty held third after regaining the position from Rutter on the eleventh lap, but just three laps later he crashed out at Druids, whilst on the same lap his team-mate Alastair Seeley also ended up in the gravel after losing the rear on the exit of Paddock Hill Bend. Tommy Hill was hard-charging on the Worx Crescent Suzuki; he was running eighth at the end of the opening lap and was gradually working his way up the field. He had a steady race to finish in a lone fourth place as the battle raged behind for fifth between James Ellison and Josh Brookes. The pair diced throughout the race but the Swan Honda rider made a last lap move on his HM Plant Honda rival to steal fifth place. Yukio Kagayama was back inside the top eight with a seventh place on the second of the Worx Crescent Suzukis ahead of Stuart Easton and John Laverty who closed the gap on the Buildbase Kawasaki but was unable to pass as Simon Andrews rounded out the top ten. Pauli Pekkanen secured the victory in the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo class as Steve Brogan and Hudson Kennaugh suffered technical issues. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race three result: 1. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki WSB) 2. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.563s 3. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +4.788s 4. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +6.531s 5. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +11.804s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 249 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 242 3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 239 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 217 5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 206 Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 153 The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is the Showdown decider at Cadwell Park on 28/29/30 August. For more information and to book your tickets in advance visit www.cadwellpark.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000. Read article
Video exclusive: Behind the scenes at Snetterton
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Friday, 30th July 2010, 15:05 GMTRound 7 The MCE British Superbike Championship delivered high-speed action and overtaking aplenty at one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, Snetterton. The Mirror.co.uk cameras were on hand, as always, to capture the best of the action and chat with some of the characters behind the scenes in the BSB paddock in what proved to be an exciting and entertaining weekend of bikesport. CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE VIDEO Read article
Brookes two, Kiyo one but Hill leads title chase
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Sunday, 18th July 2010, 19:12 GMTJosh Brookes was denied a hat-trick of wins by a machine problem in the third race of the seventh round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Snetterton and that cost the Aussie the lead in the title stakes as Tommy Hill, running second to Ryuichi Kiyonari regained the advantage by two points. Brookes had won the opening race, held over from the weather ravaged Knockhill round, on Saturday afternoon with a last lap move on his HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari with Hill, riding the Worx Crescent Suzuki running third from the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati of Michael Rutter. Then, despite having come out on top in the Swan Combi Roll for Pole, Brookes made life difficult for himself with a sluggish start from the front of the grid in the first of the two Sunday afternoon races, to be running sixth on an opening lap led by Rutter from Hill with Kiyonari third from Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki and Swan Honda's James Ellison. Brookes was gaining places to be running third on the fourth lap, but by then Kiyonari had pulled out with a machine problem, leaving the front running duel to Rutter and Hill, but they were soon feeling the heat from the determined Brookes. He moved second on the seventh lap and took Rutter a further seven laps into the race as he slowed with a gear shift problem. Alastair Seeley and Ellison ran ahead of Hill with Ellison showing his Brands Hatch opening round form, prior to the tumble at Thruxton in which he sustained a broken leg soon going second. Hill attacked Ellison, going through to take second place as Brookes completed his second win, reflecting: "I messed up the start and had to work for it but was comfortable with the passes. It was a shame that some of the others had mechanical problems but I am sure that I could have taken them." Ellison, fourth in that race, made a great start to the final race, heading off Brookes with Michael Laverty third from Kiyonari and Hill, but soon Kiyonari was running third and harassing his team-mate, moving ahead of him on the seventh lap and two laps later taking the lead from Ellison. Ellison strayed off-line and Brookes nipped into second place, but not for long before he was sidelined by a machine problem. Kiyonari was leading from Michael Laverty with Rutter third as the Safety Car was deployed as Ellison crashed in a tangle with Seeley. Kiyonari duly completed his fourth win of the season, and his sixth at the circuit, finishing half a second clear of Hill who had finally found a way ahead of Michael Laverty with three laps remaining. For Hill second best was good enough, putting him back on top in the title stakes and he reflected: "We've re-grouped, gelled back and come out fighting. Now we are back to where we need to be, and where we should be. "The team have worked hard, we've had out ups and downs and problems along the way but these three podiums show were are back.The final race here was tough, but halfway through I clawed them in, and felt comfortable," he added. Steve Brogan, riding Jentin BMW won all three Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO class races and that put the Liverpudlian back ahead in the title chase 246-241 over Hudson Kennaugh who having switched to riding Splitlath Aprilia took a fifth and two third places. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race two result: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.472s 3. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +2.740s 4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +3.757s 5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +4.152s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race three result: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.591s 3. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.954s 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +1.584s 5. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +3.897s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton: 1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 218 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 216 3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 193 4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 183 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 165 6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) 129 Read article
Brookes in last lap ambush
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Saturday, 17th July 2010, 19:00 GMTHM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes won the opening race of the weekend at Snetterton after a stealth last lap move on his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, who had led the entire race until he was passed by his championship-leading team-mate. Brookes said: "I had the pace but made it hard on myself with a bad start. My lap times were strong and I was looking for places to get ahead of Kiyo and was lining him up in several places. "He was very strong though and our bikes are equally matched so I went for a lunge on the last lap as I knew I could win if I could get ahead. I muscled my way through and to have won again is a great result for me as I have increased my lead over Tommy." Kiyonari had taken the holeshot off the line on the opening lap to lead the pack into Riches for the first time ahead of the Relentless Suzukis of Michael Laverty and Alastair Seeley and Tommy Hill. The Worx Crescent Suzuki of Hill though was on the attack and made a move on Seeley into Riches and a good run on the second lap put him third and within striking distance of leader Kiyonari and Laverty. Brookes had finished the opening lap in ninth and had given himself work to do to close the gap on his Japanese team-mate who was holding an advantage of 0.5s over Hill in by the fifth lap. He was making rapid process through the pack though; passing Seeley, Rutter and Michael Laverty then closed on to the back of rival Hill by the seventh lap. Brookes made his move at Riches on his Worx Crescent Suzuki nemesis, taking the inside line on the brakes to put himself firmly ahead and he then had his sights set on closing the gap to leader Kiyonari. He was soon menacingly shadowing his team-mate and despite several attempts to make a pass the lead was defended, but on the final lap a concerted move down the inside at Riches gave him the lead which he held to the flag to score his third win of the season. Hill maintained his third position, despite several attempts from Rutter to return to a podium position, whilst Alastair Seeley ended the race fifth after getting the better of team-mate Laverty on the eleventh lap. James Ellison took a top ten finish despite starting from the sixth row to recover from a disappointing day on track yesterday during free practice, but the second Swan Honda of Stuart Easton was forced to retire on the sixth lap with a technical problem. Simon Andrews was the highest placed Kawasaki for the MSS Colchester team in eighth ahead of team-mate Gary Mason who clawed his way through to ninth with Tommy Bridewell rounding out the top ten. Steve Brogan finished sixteenth to win the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo race. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race one result: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.594s 3. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +4.475s 4. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +4.989s 5. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +5.485s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after race one: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 191 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 178 3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 168 4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 156 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) 152 The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is a triple header at Snetterton this weekend (16/17/18 July). For more information visit www.snetterton.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000. Read article
Brookes breaks Seeley’s spell
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Friday, 16th July 2010, 16:43 GMTHM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes returned to the top of the times in the second free practice session at Snetterton this afternoon, dispelling Relentless Suzuki's Alastair Seeley who had topped the session until the final five minutes. Brookes said: "It has been a pleasant return here after the past two rounds; I don't really like Mallory Park and then Knockhill was ruined due to the weather. "This track is great for Superbikes and you can really utilise the full speed on the straights here and the turns are so flowing. "I am therefore enjoying it more and when you ride like that it gives you more confidence and the times just come. "This is the best practice day I have had this year and the first time I have topped two consecutive free practice sessions so I am feeling really positive now ahead of the first race tomorrow." Seeley proved he is going to be a threat this weekend at Snetterton after he flew to the top of the pack, becoming the first rider to break into the 1m:05s lap times, but Brookes bettered that lap by 0.120s to maintain his commanding position. Michael Rutter shuffled between second and third throughout the session, but the Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati rider was able to stay third ahead of Tommy Hill who elevated the Worx Crescent Suzuki in the final three minutes to move fourth with Motorpoint Yamaha's Dan Linfoot in fifth. Michael Laverty dropped to sixth in the closing stages of the session on the second of the Relentless Suzukis with Quay Garage Honda's Tommy Bridewell pushing forward in seventh to separate the Laverty brothers. John Laverty had run as high as third in the session but finished eighth for the Buildbase Kawasaki team with Andrew Pitt climbing to ninth. Sorrymate.com SMT Honda's Chris Walker was back inside the top ten this afternoon after just missing out this morning, whilst Swan Honda riders James Ellison and Stuart Easton were suffering in twelfth and fifteenth respectively. Likewise the second HM Plant Honda of Ryuichi Kiyonari was only fourteenth fastest. Steve Brogan was the fastest of the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo riders in sixteenth. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, free practice two result: 1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 1m:05.731s 2. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.120s 3. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.295s 4. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.334s 5. Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +0.672s Read article
Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad Gearing Up For Snetterton Triple-Header
Source: The Latest Motorcycle News - Wednesday, 14th July 2010, 13:25 GMTJentin Racing-BMW Motorrad's Steve Brogan is preparing for a renewed assault on the top spot in the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO championship at this weekend's three-race Snetterton round while stand-in rider Tristan Palmer will be contesting the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race in place of Richard Cooper. BSB-EVO Rider Steve Brogan has been recovering from injuries sustained at Mallory Park - including a fractured vertebrae and ligament damage in his thumb - aided by some time in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and is in high spirits about the weekend's racing. Read article
