Frenchman Emeric Jonchiere mastered appalling conditions in the third round of the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup at Silverstone today. The race had been cut from 12 laps to 10 because of the very wet conditions and there was a big surprise when series leader, and pole sitter, Dominic Lammert crashed out before completing a lap. Italian Simone Saltarelli led the opening two laps chased by Swiss rider Patric Muff and Jonchiere. Jonchiere took the lead on lap 5 and from then on in he was never headed on his way to victory. At the end, he finished over three seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Muff. Third went to Hungarian Gabor Rizmayer, with Raphael Chevre fourth, Pete Ward fifth and Lee Hodge sixth.
After a mostly dry day, the heavens opened shortly before the Suzuki GSX-R Cup riders went out for their first track session of the year. German rider Oliver Skach mastered the wet conditions superbly and ended the day with provisional pole position. Second fastest is Frenchman Emeric Jonchiere, with Dominic Lammert third.