Peter Hickman has declared his intentions for the 2018 British Superbike championship very early on, stating he feels that he has good chance of BSB title success in the coming season.
The fastest Isle of Man TT newcomer took a win at Thruxton in an emotional weekend, giving the Smith’s Racing BMW outfit their first win. Hickman also achieved two other podiums, on his way to his and Smith’s BMW’s first Showdown, where he finished 4th, 59 points off title success.
“This will be the first time in my career I’ve stayed with the same team on the same bike, so I’m delighted to be back with the Smiths team and on the BMW for 2018”, began an elated Hicky.
“We had a great season this year and we can now hit the ground running which can only benefit us. We know we have a lot more to come so I can’t wait to get started”, continued the five-time Isle of Man TT podium finisher.
“I genuinely feel I can push for the BSB championship next year. We had a great package on the roads too and it’s great to get everything sorted early, so we can focus 100% on the goals we want to achieve in 2018,” he concluded.
Hickman will be joined at Smith’s BMW by double FIM European Superstock 1000 champion, Sylvain Barrier, who comes across from MotoAmerica, in which he finished 15th this season.
Isle of Man-based outfit Team IMR have signed Chrissy Rouse and Jordan Gilbert for the 2018 National Superstock 1000 season, competing on BMW machinery. The team ventured into the series towards the end of last season with Joe Collier, securing a best finish of 9th in the final race of the year.
Chrissy Rouse is believed to have been hot property but after speculation, he confirmed his departure from Mission Racing to join IMR. Rouse was a persistent front runner in 2017 and excelled in many rounds, including Cadwell Park and also at Silverstone, before he crashed whilst leading. Jordan Gilbert finished runner-up in the National Superstock 600 class, taking three wins along the way – Knockhill, Thruxton and Snetterton being the venues.
In the team, Ian Moffitt will continue his role as owner/manager. Steve Brogan follows Chrissy Rouse and Jordan Gilbert, to help them progress yet again. Brogan himself was the 2008 National Superstock 1000 champion, winning 8 races from a possible 12. Ex TAS Racing crew member, Philip McLaughlin, will be the crew chief for the team.
Chrissy Rouse said, “I’m really excited to have signed for Team IMR and to have everything in place for 2018 so early is terrific. With such a strong package in place at Team IMR, I’m confident we’ve got the tools to do the job. I learnt a lot in 2017 and was close to the lap record at each circuit but I know there’s plenty more to come from me so I want to be challenging for the title in 2018”.
Rouse continued, praising Steve Brogan and his importance in the team. “Keeping Steve is a massive boost as he’s a tremendous help to me so with an ambitious team whose goals match my own, I’m confident we’re going to have a great season together.”
Jordan Gilbert was equally as excited; “I’m delighted to be joining Team IMR and, having enjoyed a strong year in 2017 in the Superstock 600cc class, it’s a tremendous opportunity for me”.
Gilbert continued, stating his plans for attack in 2018. “It’s a new class and a new bike for me but I’ll be able to tap into their knowledge and the continuity will mean I can concentrate on my riding. Ian’s put together a great team and it’s nice to have everything sorted so soon. I’m really excited about 2018 and I can’t wait to get going.”
The first weekend of the National Superstock 1000 season gets underway on the 31st of March, at Donington Park, near East Midlands Airport.
Back at Brands Hatch, I spoke to Joe Francis of the Movuno Halsall Racing Team, on his return to action after a month and a half away from racing through a back injury. In this exclusive interview, Francis talks about nearly being left without a ride in 2017, how his season has been this year and how the Halsall Racing Team possibly saved his career.
How has 2017 been for you?
It has been a great year but tough at times. We have been fast at every round this season and we could say that we’ve had a lot of bad luck. However, all in all, it has been a mega season. It was a shame to miss Silverstone, Oulton Park and Assen with my injury but that is racing. Considering we secured the deal late on, I think we have really brought the bike together and made it into a competitive package.
How different is the Halsall Racing Team Yamaha compared to the TTC Yamaha you rode last year?
Both bikes are very similar. The only major difference is that at Halsall Racing, I have no Motec. The engine is better at Halsall Racing but the chassis is the same, purely because it is the standard R6. Both of them parts of the bike are still exceptionally strong. We have been progressing with each round, getting used to the bike and basically, just refining it to suit me a fraction more. I think our progression has been clear for everyone to see. We started slow in 2017 but over time, have got nearer to race wins and have been solid podium contenders.
Is it annoying that you still haven’t won a race this year and that Andy Irwin has?
In all honesty, we have been in positions this year where we have had better pace than Andy and on a few occasions, we have had the pace to win. Unfortunately, we have been very unlucky. The engine blew up in one round and that is no fault of mine nor the team’s. There’s been places where we should’ve won and could’ve won but unfortunately, things just didn’t quite fit together.
You was let down extremely close to the season starting in 2017 – explain what happened.
Just two weeks before the start of the season, a team that promised to come together for me actually didn’t come together, which left me without a ride. We don’t exactly know why they didn’t come together and in all fairness, I couldn’t dwell on it too much because I needed a ride! We had to take it on the chin and thankfully, at the last moment, Martin came up with a package. Martin without doubt saved my season and probably even my career and I can’t thank him enough.
The team on a whole are amazing. I have more than enjoyed 2017. They are a great group to work with and we have had a lot of laughs along the way. Everyone works so hard and it is a great environment to be a part of. Every negative result we have had and all the downs we have had have been turned around and it has been a really fun team to be in. There’s a lot of teams around the paddock that don’t look like they are enjoying themselves but with Halsall Racing, it is like being part of a family and it really is one of the most professional and fun teams to be in and in all honesty, it is the best team I’ve been in.
To what extent did your wildcard at Donington Park help you in 2017?
That wildcard turned our season around. It made us go straight to the top three over in the UK, which kickstarted our season proper. We went to Donington Park, a track we had been to already in 2017, with some confidence. However, we had to push so much harder. I never realised until I got to the race just how hard the World Supersport guys push.
Unfortunately, we tried to take that ‘push like crazy’ style back to the UK and as you’ve all seen, it hasn’t worked out. The smaller British circuits are very different to the likes of Donington Park and circuits used by the World Championship and more often than not, we have crashed. It is a massive shame about the injury because we missed out on circuits where we knew we would be strong at.
How have you got over the amount of crashes this season – including your big one at Cadwell Park?
Most of the crashes have been OK to get over. Some of them have been silly little mistakes and the others have been strange and unexpected. It is all part of racing; I am still young so I am learning all the time and still have a lot to learn in the future.
My injury was enough to put me out for a few rounds. We don’t know what caused the crash but we just got unlucky I guess. I am glad to be back and whilst I may not be the fittest I’ve ever been, I was able to show at Brands Hatch that we can be competitive and that is a really good sign for 2018.
How serious were your injuries?
It was a lot more serious than I ever thought it would be. The doctors were extremely concerned about me but thankfully, it will have no long-lasting effects. When I had the time off the bike, I didn’t do anything too stupid which could possibly harm the injury further or extend the recovery period. The doctors did an amazing job and they also said that we should be alright for the future! It could’ve been a lot worse but we will just have to have a few weeks off and rest properly but like I say, we will be fine in the future.
It wasn’t as bad as some other riders have had. I was told straight away that I would be able to ride a bike again. It was a compression fracture of the L1 vertebrae – talk to other people and you’ll soon find that it is a common injury. The doctors always said that I’d make a full recovery and I’d be back to normal life, as long as I am sensible.
Has Brands Hatch’s results given you confidence for 2018?
I think we already had a lot of plans and confidence heading forward anyway. As for outright speed and pace, I believe that we are one of the fastest, definitely in the top 4. Some riders have to build up to that point where they are at their optimum whereas we seem to have that pace straight away. We just need to put the last few pieces together and hopefully, we will be standing on top of the podium very soon.
What are your plans for 2018?
As I am quite tall, Superbike would be a good route. I think my particular riding style will suit the Superbike. If Martin was to run a Superbike, then that’d be perfect for me. I want to remain with the team and if possible, move up. If he ran the Superbike team, it is the team I’d want to be part of.
Obviously, Supersport is still an option and I think it’d be good to stay here again. Overall, I am looking at the Supersport and Superbike classes. Whatever class we end up in, we will have to do a good job in. In Supersport, I would be expecting to win whereas I would change my plan for the Superbikes, looking at learning the basics in the first season and become consistent. If I was to go to Superbikes, I would be looking at treating it as a three year plan. A learning year, a better year and then hopefully, a big breakthrough year. Of course, as we all know, plans are just that and they could all change year after year so it is best to maybe just wait and see.
His Twitter bio reads “Ex bike racer . . have been skilfully avoiding a proper job for 30 years .. stunt dad”
Prior to gracing our screens, he has won the 80cc British Championship, the 1300cc Production British Championship and the TT Superbike Challenge.
He is a British Superbike Champion having won the title in 1993, was BSB runner-up in 1996 and raced in World Superbikes from 1994 to 1998, a team mate of Carl Fogarty. He competed in World Supersport from 2000-2002 and held the track record at Donington Park until 2007.
He runs trackdays with Paul Drinkwater Sports Motorcycling and his famous “6T9” logo can be seen on the leathers of big names in bike racing and around the circuits all over the UK.
British and World Superbike viewers will recognise him from Eurosport as a TV commentator and pundit. His quick wit, humour and amazing technological insight into bikes is without doubt the best you will find on television. His commentary partnership with Jack Burnicle for British Superbikes is quite possibly the most entertaining TV motorsport duet on air.
He is a true legend, a fantastic bike rider, a respected man on and off the circuit and a genuinely top bloke. His biography ‘What A Good Do!’ is a brilliant read (I highly recommend it).
These are his Quick 10 questions and he is……James Whitham.
What is your favourite racing circuit?
You tend to favour the tracks you go well at, regardless of whether they’re interesting to ride . . my fave UK circuit is Cadwell Park and worldwide is Monza
Who was your racing idol?
Mike Hailwood
Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?
Carl Fogarty
Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?
Mike Hailwood and Jarno Saarinen
If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?
Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Nando Parrado and Muhammad Ali
Your personal racing number? What was it and the reason behind it?
69 – reads the same either way up !
What is the best race you have been involved in?
’01 World Supersport race Monza . . . 6 of us glued together for the whole race
Is there a race or series you have not competed in that you would like to or had wanted to?
I would’ve loved a season on a 250cc (2 stroke) GP bike
How did you get interested in motor racing? What ignited that spark?
My dad was a motorcyclist and took me to spectate at some race meetings as a kid . . . I was doomed from there really !
What is the best advice in racing you have been given?
Mick Grant always said that I should leave a team or sponsor on the best of terms . . . Don’t burn your bridges I suppose . . . good advice.
I have said this before, but when you get to interview somebody who you are a fan of and have great respect for then as a writer it is a dream come true.
In this instance I am truly thankful for James taking the time out from his busy schedule to answer the Quick 10 and can’t wait to see him and hear his funny, intelligent and interesting insight on BSB next season. I want to wish James all the best of health and thank him and Paul Drinkwater for this opportunity.
Back at Brands Hatch, I caught up with ex-Morello Kawasaki rider, Fraser Rogers, to chat to him about this season and his split from the Norfolk-based team. As well as this, he talks of possibly returning to the World Championships and also opens up about whether he has under achieved in 2017.
How has 2017 been – aside from your split with Morello Kawasaki?
It’s been tough; in fact, very tough. I’ve shown that I have the pace to be at the front. I want to stay in the National Superstock 1000 championship in the UK or move up to the European Superstock 1000 class next season. I have some really good offers and I know that I can run at the front. I just need the right people and the right package to make it all come together and make everything work well. I have shown my speed this year but unfortunately, I’ve suffered a lot of bad luck.
Do you think you could go stronger in 2017, given 2016’s stellar season?
I know what Morello will say but if you actually look through the results properly, then you will see that I went faster at near enough every circuit this season than I did last year. If you take out Thruxton and Cadwell Park, then I think you’ll find that I went faster everywhere else. With the likes of Danny Buchan and Richard Cooper dropping down and some of the fast boys coming up, then you will also notice that the overall pace is faster and the depth of talent in the field is a lot stronger.
Did you feel any pressure from Danny Buchan when you was riding at Morello Kawasaki?
I’ve ridden in GPs and world championships and the National Superstock 1000 class and it doesn’t really bother me. Everyone forgets that I’ve known Danny since I was 12-years-old. I’ve raced with him before. He is just a step ahead of me at the moment but that doesn’t mean to say that it won’t change in the future. It has been good being teammates with him this year; there’s been no animosity with him, it’s just been a healthy rivalry. He’s not got to me all season. I’ve had other established teammates in the past.
Do you agree with Steve Buckenham (Morello Kawasaki Team Owner) that you have under achieved in 2017?
I wouldn’t have said that I have massively under achieved. I finished 3rd in the first part of the Donington Park race and I beat Danny Buchan – my teammate – at Silverstone. I also had the fastest lap at Oulton Park earlier in the year. Like I said earlier, I have improved my lap times in 2017 but I’ve had a lot of bad luck this year too.
We didn’t do a lot of testing pre-season, we had four days in Spain but that was it. The four day test was cut short to 1 and a half anyway. I had a some problem and the chain split the engine casings. The team lent my engine to another rider but that also meant that I couldn’t continue, so we just packed up our stuff. We have done the official test this season but not massive amounts of testing elsewhere.
I don’t agree with what Steve has said. I have had a lot of problems this year. I crashed out at Snetterton all on my own but I could’ve been on the podium because my pace was strong. At another round this year, we had a fuel leak. That meant that with three laps to go, I ran out of fuel and then dropped a load of positions. I had a clutch let go on me at Donington Park Part 2 of the 100 mile race whilst running third & at another round, rain cost me a race win whilst I was out on dry tyres. At another round, results were poor due to some other things going on behind closed doors in the team.
I wouldn’t say I’ve under achieved because other wise, I wouldn’t be in the position with the offers that I have on the table now. I have good British offers and offers also in the world championships and also in Moto2. I went to IDM and on a Superstock bike with treaded tyres, I was able to be competitive against Markus Reiterberger who is an ex WSBK rider. My results could’ve been a lot better but I know, in myself, I am good enough to be in a top team. Things just haven’t fallen into place.
After three DNFs before Brands Hatch, or four because I wasn’t riding there, I am 7th in the championship. I went into Brands Hatch knowing that I couldn’t be beaten for 7th in the championship so how does that add up to me under achieving? Especially, in one of the most competitive stock championships in Europe. Steve is a great guy and Morello Racing are a great team but sometimes I just think ‘they aren’t for me’.
What are the reasons behind the split between yourself and Morello Racing?
I don’t really know. The moment I knew about it most was after the Cadwell Park or Silverstone race. Obviously, some things were said by Steve and I kind of knew then that things had run their course.
Morello Kawasaki have been brilliant with me this last 18 months and I would like to thank them for that chance. Chris Sayle gets on with me really well and that is a shame when myself and Steve just didn’t see eye-to-eye most of the time. It wasn’t very harmonious at all and the short and the long of it was I just wasn’t enjoying riding the bike or being in and around the team anymore, at which point its best to go our separate ways.
What does the future hold for Fraser Rogers now?
I’ve had a really good offer in National Superstock 1000 and likewise in the European Superstock 1000 championship. With Moto2 being confirmed for 2018, that is also an option, especially after I rode for the Fab Racing guys at Brands Hatch. If I can prove myself on a GP-spec bike then that is also an option. I want to end up back in the world championships so it is a logical step.
I would also like to thank all my sponsors for making this season happen, as without them I wouldn’t be racing so I cant thank these guys enough. Simon Whatley from SRS Rail Systems UK,
Matt and James Cox from Swindon Karting Arena, Fibros Promotional Print, Gary from Planet 4, my family and everyone else thats helped me along the way. 2018 awaits us!
James Ellison has signed for the TAG Racing team for the 2018 British Superbikes, in a deal that will see him have a second consecutive season on Yamaha machinery.
The Cumbrian rider rode for the McAMS Yamaha team in 2017 – the official Yamaha factory supported team – but failed to reach The Showdown, whereas the privateer TAG Racing team made the all-important top six.
Ellison has previously rode for Yamaha, back in 2009 for GSE Racing under Daryl Healey and Colin Wright. He returned to the manufacturer in 2013, riding for Shaun Muir. Whilst 2017 has been successful in some areas, the former GP rider hasn’t made the top six – despite finishing the 2016 season in 3rd.
“I’m delighted to agree a deal with Rob and Tracy and the TAG Racing Yamaha team for the up and coming 2018 season and I can’t wait to get underway”, said an ecstatic James Ellison.
“Staying on a Yamaha was a big deal for me; I led at some points in the first six rounds of the season and the bike has proven to be a race winner. It’s great to be able to agree the deal before Christmas so I am able to focus on the task in hand, the team can develop the bike in certain areas and we can start testing as soon as possible”, he continued.
Despite a difficult 2017, Ellison vowed to be stronger and more determined than ever, as the 2018 season will be his last in British Superbikes. The former 3rd place man in the championship will move to America for family reasons at the end of the season.
“Last year was tough but we showed strong pace and ran at the front every weekend other than Thruxton but we just threw away too many points with a few crashes and technical DNF’s. My early impressions are that the guys in the team are great. They are a great bunch of guys and I can’t wait to get working with them this season; the family atmosphere was also a big deal for me.
“It’s going to be my final year in MCE BSB so I want to win it, I want to go out with a bang and give everyone something to cheer. My best year was in 2009 on a Yamaha where I finished second, so I’m fully focussed on going one better in 2018 to win my first BSB Championship”, he concluded.
The Swadlincote-based team also announced that Shaun Winfield would be remaining with the team for 2018. Winfield will line up in the Superbike class, ending speculation that he would be demoted to the National Superstock 1000 category.
“2017 was a challenging year for me, I had some very big crashes which knocked my confidence slightly but I picked up my first set of points and I’m aiming to go better in 2018. We have the package, I have had another year’s experience under my belt and learnt off my team mate a lot last year, which I will bring into this year”, said an excited Shaun Winfield.
“Last year was the best we’ve had as a team and I’m fully focused on delivering a better season in 2018. I can’t wait to get testing again and working on the upgrades we have coming our way”, he concluded.
There aren’t many riders who have been around for a long time and still have the determination to become champion but Jakub Smrz shows no signs of slowing down. He talks to us about his BSB life so far, his Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing team and his plans for the future.
How have you found BSB so far?
It has been difficult. In the beginning, it was very tricky, especially the tracks. There is nothing in Great Britain that resembles anything in World Superbikes. The tracks are so, so different. In addition, I spent a lot of my time in World Superbikes riding the Ducati. I also sustained a few injuries, which have held me back a little bit but now, we are getting better.
British Superbikes in general is getting quicker and quicker, so it is definitely not easy to be successful. In FP2 at Brands Hatch, I was 18th in the session but only a second from the top. It was frustrating but I am enjoying it, especially this season. It is my 2nd season in the UK with the BMW and it is really nice. The atmosphere within the team is great and although the start was difficult, we as a team have grown and improved. The team in years gone by have not been very lucky and lacked experience with BMW.
In the last couple of rounds, we have understood a lot more. It would be nice to start next season where we are now. It is going in the right direction and the main thing is that we improve each time, both me on the bike and the team in the garage.
What are the main differences between a V-Twin and a 4-cylinder?
Obviously, as you say, one has four cylinders and the other has two cylinders. You use a lot more torque with a V-Twin and with the Ducati, the chassis is different. The characteristics of the bike in general are just very different.
The BMW is a difficult bike for me and it did take me a while to understand it and get used to the it, also with the BSB regulations. However, like I say earlier, it is going in the right direction, round by round and that is very important.
How would you sum up BSB 2017 so far from your perspective?
What we were aiming for was to get in the points in every race. We didn’t know this season would be so difficult but lets say, we score points quite regularly. Two races at Brands Hatch in July, I did not race because of an injury from a crash in FP3, with the bike being on the fence too.
Given your World Superbike experience, are you surprised that you haven’t gone straight to the top?
Of course, it is a little bit frustrating. In the past in World Superbikes, there are riders that are in front of me now that I would beat. I know this is different. Many riders race in the UK for a long time; they grow up here and ride the circuits so already, there is an advantage for them. I think I am not far away now. Fingers crossed that we are better next season because I feel this season has gone quite well.
How are the Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing Team to work with?
I would say that they are probably the best team I have been with. It is a little family team with a little budget. I like to work with everyone in the team and hopefully, they like working with me! I feel really good and that is probably more important to me than having a big team with a bigger budget. What I like is that at the start of the season, we could see that things were going well and they have invested in the parts through the season. This has allowed us all to develop and work harder and for that, I am truly thankful of the team.
Is a return to WSBK likely?
Not at the moment, I think I still have things to do here and things to prove in the UK – not just to doubters but to myself too. I did World Superbikes for one round this season and it didn’t go very well. Things didn’t work out, especially with the bike. I am enjoying the racing a lot more in the UK. Even to be 18th, you have to be very fast! In WSBK, you can be 18th and one of the last riders and it just isn’t much fun.
What are your plans for 2018?
I can say that I am staying in the UK and hopefully with the Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing team.
Michael Laverty has made a shock switch back to Tyco BMW for 2018, completing the team’s line-up, alongside Christian Iddon. Laverty will leave McAMS Yamaha, after a difficult season saw him take just one podium, at Silverstone.
“I’m delighted to be returning to the Tyco BMW squad for the 2018 season,” Laverty said. “We enjoyed success together taking race wins in 2015 and 2016. A dip in form lead to a year’s sabbatical, which didn’t prove fruitful, although the experience gained this season will make me a stronger rider”, began Laverty. The Ulsterman has failed to win a race in 2017 for the first time since returning to BSB from GP.
“I’m thankful that Philip and the guys within the team have belief in my ability and looked beyond my results this year. To get back on-board the Tyco BMW S1000RR and work with the TAS engineers once again, is the perfect scenario for me”, he continued.
The decision ends speculation about Dan Linfoot going to the Ulster team, after some reports suggested he would leave Honda. It also closes down speculation about Peter Hickman joining the team, although he is now expected to remain at Smith’s BMW. The signing also means there will be no room for Andy Reid, although some suggest he will be riding the teams Superstock 1000 bike.
Not one person in the British Superbike paddock, nor in the crowd, wanted to see a championship decided by an error. Leon Haslam’s spectacular crash on Sunday afternoon has touched hearts of everyone across the motorcycle world but his sportsmanship when being carried to congratulate Shane Byrne has won the hearts of the people in the sporting world. It was a scene that demonstrated the utmost respect that both Haslam and Byrne have for one and other, having been locked in combat from the very start.
“I’m not where I wanted to be on Sunday night after the race with a broken ankle and a broken wrist. It wasn’t my day. I had a few issues in race two which dropped me back and I had to jump off at the end of the straight in race three”, said a heartbroken Haslam, who led the championship by 32 points ahead of Brands Hatch.
“I’m absolutely gutted for the team and the effort that everyone’s put in. However, it’s been a good year and I’d like to thank everyone for all their hard work. The season has not ended how I wanted it to but I don’t think we could have done much more and it’s only made me more determined to come back stronger”, continued the ‘Pocket Rocket’, who slipped to third overall after Josh Brookes won race three.
“I’ve got an operation to get the ankle sorted and thankfully the wrist is a clean break so that shouldn’t take long to heal. We’ve got a plan for winter testing and few areas we want to work on to make sure we’re raring to go next year”, he concluded.
Haslam finished just six points from Byrne, taking third in the championship.
After 26 races, over 1000 kilometres of racing, 10 winners, 16 podium finishers and over 300,000 trackside spectators, the BSB championship came to an end on Sunday afternoon, with Shane Byrne producing a magical comeback to take his 6th BSB title – the first time he has successfully defended his crown.
The 40-year-old Londoner took wins in both race one and race two, placing him just two points down on the-then leader Leon Haslam going into the final race of the championship. A poor start for Byrne and a great start for Haslam meant that he was behind the Kawasaki man. However, Haslam’s crash meant that Byrne had to finish in the top 11 to win the championship. The PBM Ducati rider finished 8th, enough for an unprecedented sixth title to cement his position as the most successful rider in BSB history.
Josh Brookes, who didn’t finish outside the top four all weekend, jumped up to 2nd in the series in the final race, finishing runner-up in his return to British Superbikes. The popular Australian was third in race one and fourth in race two, meaning he needed to win and hope that Byrne and Haslam were not in the top 11 and 12 respectively to take the title. Although half of the equation was complete with Haslam out, Byrne rode a tactical race to remain in the required positions. He took a third win of the season for the Anvil Hire Tag Racing Yamaha team, finishing a mere 3 points shy of Byrne. Brookes was the only rider to finish the final three races of the season in the top four.
Leon Haslam never looked like he was in the zone at Brands. The Kawasaki rider had a massive 32 point lead over Brookes coming into the final round but saw it all whittled down by the end of the weekend. A 4th place in race one followed by a disastrous 10th in race two meant Haslam went into the last round needing to beat Byrne, or hope that if Byrne was in the top 4, that it’d be behind him and not in front. A brake failure into Hawthorn’s saw Haslam jump off his bike at over 170mph, smashing into the air-fencing. This gave Byrne and Brookes the chance they needed and Haslam finished the championship 3rd – having led into the meeting.
Dixon and Hickman lost their chancre to fight for the championship in the opening race on Saturday. Dixon crashed on oil at Clearways whilst Hickman didn’t take enough points off Leon Haslam. Hicky took 4th in the championship and Jason O’Halloran rounded out the top five, after his great weekend which saw him on the podium in the final race. Dixon scored four points all weekend, meaning he finished 6th.
As mentioned, this is the first time that Byrne has ever retained his championship and it is the first time that a rider has successfully defended their crown since Ryuichi Kiyonari, in 2006 and 2007. It was the first time since 2002 and 2003 that Ducati had won back-to-back riders championships, with Hislop and Byrne being the riders in those years respectively.
