Scott Redding dealt a double win at the sixth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship to be awarded the Monster Energy Race of Aces trophy at Snetterton, holding off his Be Wiser Ducati teammate Josh Brookes in both races in Norfolk.
At the start of the race one Tarran Mackenzie got an incredible launch off the line to lead the pack on the opening lap ahead of Brookes and Redding with Tommy Bridewell in fourth. The Oxford Racing Ducati rider was not happy to settle where he was though and was instantly on the attack, moving ahead of Redding into Agostini for the first time.
On the fourth lap Bridewell had moved into second with a decisive dive down the inside at Riches, pushing Brookes back into third. At the front, Bridewell claimed the lead ahead of Mackenzie as Redding moved into third. Bridewell tried to make a break from the pack but he made a mistake into Agostini a lap later and crashed out unhurt.
Redding had cut through into second and with Bridewell out of the race he captured the race lead, but behind there was an intense battle between Brookes and Mackenzie with the pair trading blows for several laps. The fight between the pair gave Redding the opportunity to edge out a gap, but Brookes was then able to get the better of Mackenzie and keep him behind over the closing stages.
Danny Buchan maintained his position inside the top six in the standings with a fourth place, but the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider had a lonely end to the race. However behind him there was a scrap between the Honda Racing pairing; Xavi Forés and Andrew Irwin colliding on the final lap, but both formation flying to the finish line with the Spaniard having the edge at the chequered flag.
Peter Hickman was also in the group and he held off Luke Mossey for seventh place ahead of Jason O’Halloran who had a strong race to carve through the field from his seventh row start on the second McAMS Yamaha.
Christian Iddon completed the top ten, passing his Tyco BMW teammate Michael Laverty in the final moments of the race on his return after his Knockhill injury.
In race two Brookes had the perfect start off the line to lead the pack into Riches for the first time ahead of Redding, Bridewell and Mackenzie. Jason O’Halloran meanwhile had also made a good start to move into fifth on the second of the McAMS Yamahas. The Australian though crashed out on the fourth lap at Brundle, ending his race prematurely.
At the front Brookes held the lead until there were just three laps remaining as Redding made a dive down the inside on the brakes at the end of the Bentley Straight to take the lead. The race one winner was able to hold off his Be Wiser Ducati teammate to the finish line.
However it was a double disaster for McAMS Yamaha when Mackenzie crashed out at Wilson on lap eleven as he bid to close down Bridewell for the final podium position. The Oxford Racing Ducati rider bounced back from his race one crash to claim third place and maintain his second place position in the championship standings ahead of Brookes.
In the battle for fourth place Irwin scored his best result of the season so far for Honda Racing, holding off Peter Hickman and Iddon who had a strong performance despite still recovering from his Knockhill injuries.
Hector Barbera had an impressive performance on his first visit to Snetterton on the Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki, taking the chequered flag ahead of Forés who maintained his position inside the top six in the overall standings.
Michael Laverty and Luke Mossey completed the top ten, whilst Buchan and Josh Elliott failed to score points after both crashing in individual incidents on the sighting lap.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 1 result:
- Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati)
- Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) +1.137s
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +3.989s
- Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +12.969s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) +18.666s
- Xavi Forés (Honda Racing) +19.884s
- Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +20.209s
- Luke Mossey (OMG Racing Suzuki) +22.105s
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +24.326s
- Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +24.606s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2 result:
- Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati)
- Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.279s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) +3.376s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) +21.133s
- Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +22.180s
- Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +23.640s
- Hector Barbera (Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +24.898s
- Xavi Forés (Honda Racing) +27.444s
- Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +27.987s
- Luke Mossey (OMG Racing Suzuki) +29.854s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton:
- Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati) 226
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) 188
- Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) 185
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 144
- Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 132
- Xavi Forés (Honda Racing) 114
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Scott Redding – Be Wiser Ducati
Double race winner
“I felt better with the bike in race two, I felt more comfortable and more confident but I didn’t know whether I could be faster. Then when I passed Josh I went faster, so I learnt I need to believe in myself a bit more.
“I tried to see a what the other guys were doing with the tyres in the race as I didn’t want to break away and then have an issue later on. Again, I’m still learning, I’m still a rookie in this class and I don’t know the tracks. I’m really happy and I had a wicked time this weekend the fans have been amazing, we’ve had great fun, the reception was amazing. To come back with a pole and two race wins – I can’t take much more.
“To be a Monster athlete and for them to have an event here and for me to win the Race of Aces Trophy just puts the icing on the cake really.”
British Superbike
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