BSB Superbikes Donington Park 27th - 29th October 2024
With the weather forecast a mixed bag for the 3 day event at the iconic East Midlands circuit, we had showers, sunshine, & cold weather as we prepare for the penultimate round 10 using the "full" GP circuit around Donington.
RACE 1 .
Ryde launched into the lead on the opening lap ahead of Danny Kent and Josh Brookes with Bridewell well in the mix but the McAMS Racing Yamaha rider, made a costly mistake at the Fogarty Esses and ran on, rejoining in 12th place.
At the front Ryde was constantly shadowed by Bridewell as he continued to pile on the pressure, but the local hero delivered an inch perfect performance to stay ahead of his Honda Racing UK rival over the final few laps to win his seventh race of the season and in doing so half the lead in the standings to just three points.
RACE 2.
Glenn Irwin on the PBM HAGER Ducati kept his title challenge firmly alive by claiming a hard-fought victory in the second race, following an intense four-way battle with title rivals Tommy Bridewell and Kyle Ryde as Danny Kent just missing out on the podium.
Bridewell was holding the lead until lap five when Irwin launched ahead at Redgate, but his nemesis retaliated straight away to regain the position at the top of Craner Curves. It wasn’t until a lap later when the Hager PBM Ducati rider could move back into the lead at the Melbourne Hairpin.
Irwin was then holding the advantage despite nothing between the top four throughout the 12-lap contest. On lap ten, Ryde had moved into the lead with a move at Melbourne, but Irwin fought back and went on to take the victory.
RACE 3.
And it’s that man again Kyle Ryde !!!! Who claimed race 3 victory in the red-flagged final race of the weekend to grab the lead in the Championship standings by just four points ahead of the final title Showdown at Brands Hatch in 2 week’s time.
Race two winner Glenn Irwin had grabbed the initial advantage off the line to lead into Redgate for the first time from Tommy Bridewell and Andrew Irwin with Danny Kent and Ryde next in the freight train of riders.
Ryde moved into third a lap later at the Melbourne Hairpin on Andrew Irwin and then was able to make another pass on the brakes at the same point on lap five. His Hager PBM Ducati rival fought back though and a lap later regained the position at the Fogarty Esses.
Ryde was back ahead as they crossed the line to complete the lap though as Danny Kent was on a charge and by lap seven he was into third with Irwin in his sights. The McAMS Racing Yamaha rider then made his signature pass at the Old Hairpin to take second and then chase down Ryde as he pushed to try to secure a debut Bennetts BSB race win.
Ryde was holding off Kent’s challenge, but behind Ryan Vickers had carved his way through to third ahead of Irwin and Bridewell. However, the race ended with a red flag on lap 18 when Billy McConnell crashed on the exit of the Melbourne Hairpin, collecting both Christian Iddon and Jason O'Halloran. O'Halloran sustained a shoulder injury in the crash, whilst Iddon fractured his right foot.
Ryde claimed the victory ahead of Kent and Vickers with Glenn Irwin and Bridewell completing the top five as the stage is set for the Brands Hatch Showdown on 11/12/13 October.
