Steve Brogan took his second victory of the year in today’s Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship race. The 27-year-old now leads the series by ten points from second-placed Jon Kirkham. Meanwhile in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport series Brogan took a fifth place finish to end the day just nine points off series leader Glen Richards, despite still feeling the after-effects of flu. In the two Bennetts British Superbike races much was expected from pole-sitter Cal Crutchlow and his fellow front-row starter Leon Haslam.
The first wet race was aborted before the end of the first lap when Crutchlow, Tom Sykes and a number of other riders crashed at the first corner. In the re-started race Cal was leading until he crashed thanks to the damp conditions at Lodge Corner after completing 11 laps of the 18-lap race. He re-joined the race and eventually finished sixth. Leon meanwhile started steadily but soon upped the pace, eventually battling with race leader Shane Byrne, taking the lead on the last lap only to be re-passed by the Ducati rider and having to settle for second place at the flag. In race two both HM Plant Hondas were once again up at the front of the pack, but an incident between race leader Tom Sykes and Haslam saw the Suzuki rider crash and Leon was disqualified from the race after finishing in fourth position. It was an equally disappointing second race for Cal. While in second place, he crashed at Druids on lap 14, dislocating his right ankle just before the race was red-flagged.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR FirebladeRACE ONE: 2nd position
RACE TWO: Disqualified
“I’m leaving Oulton Park pretty frustrated really, as we could have won both races and certainly the first. In race one I caught Shakey and should really have passed him when I caught him and pulled away, instead I stayed with him for a while and he nicked the win. At least second is my first podium of the year. In the second race we had an incident with another rider and I’ve been disqualified, that’s all I want to say about that race to be honest. All we can do now is look forward to Brands Hatch where at least it’s less than a week before I can get out there and get some better results.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR FirebladeRACE ONE: 6th position
RACE TWO: DNF position
“It was my own mistake in the first race. I was braking hard and the back-end came up and when I had both wheels on the ground the slippery conditions led to the crash. To get back on track and take sixth place and some points was something, I guess. I was confident of making up for it in the second race, but it was not to be. I was comfortable in second place, but then down I went at Druids. I’m not sure what happened but now I have to re-group, get some medical advice and see what we can do about the next race.”
Steve Brogan – HM Plant Honda / Honda (UK) Racing
British Supersport – HM Plant Honda CBR600RR5th position
British Superstock – Honda (UK) Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade1st position
“I’m pretty happy to come away with points in both races as it’s still very early days in the championship. Another win in Superstock is brilliant for the team and myself and to get more points in the Supersport class is good too. We chose the wrong tyres for the first part of the Supersport race, so the red-flag helped us. For the re-start I was able to choose dry tyres and fifth isn’t such a bad result, considering the way I’ve been feeling all week. Obviously I would have been happier with a podium in Supersport, but solid points are what we need at such an early stage of the championship.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda team manager“It’s been a difficult weekend for us to be honest. As regards Leon’s disqualification all I can say is that HM Plant Honda will always work within the rules and regulations set down for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, but we do not believe that Leon is a dangerous rider. It’s been a very unfortunate weekend for Cal as he was on such good form. He was leading both races at one point but the crash in race two was nasty and he’s dislocated his right ankle. We shall now be seeking the very best medical advice for Cal, he will undergo a scan so we can ascertain what damage has been done and then go from there."
"Steve’s performance this weekend has been excellent and we’re very pleased for him. He had a fantastic ride in Superstock to take the win, and even though things weren’t going his way in the Supersport race he brought home some more points. In the first part of the Supersport race he was on the wrong tyres, so the red flag and re-start was a bit of a godsend . As a team we must now move on from Oulton Park and get in a positive frame of mind for Brands Hatch this weekend.”
Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Race One Result:
1. Shane Byrne – Ducati
2. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda3. Leon Camier – Ducati
4. Michael Rutter – Ducati
5. Tom Sykes –Suzuki
6. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
Race Two Result:1. Shane Byrne – Ducati
2. James Ellison – Honda
3. Leon Camier – Ducati
4. Michael Laverty –Suzuki
5. Stuart Easton – Kawasaki
DQ. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
DNF. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
Championship Points:
1. Shane Byrne, Ducati – 95 points
2. Leon Camier, Ducati – 56 points
3. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda – 55 points4. Michael Rutter, Ducati – 54 points
5. James Ellison, Honda – 46 points
7. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda – 33 points
Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship:1. Glen Richards, Triumph – 45 points
2. Steve Brogan, HM Plant Honda – 36 points3. Hudson Kennaugh, Yamaha – 33 points
4. Chris Martin, Kawasaki – 29 points
5. Ian Lowry, Suzuki – 27 points
Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship:
1. Steve Brogan, HM Plant Honda – 50 points2. Jon Kirkham, Yamaha – 40 points
3. Conor Cummins, Yamaha – 26 points
4. Marshall Neill, Suzuki – 23 points
5. Alistair Seeley, Yamaha – 22 points
