Tommy Bridewell and Peter Hickman both celebrated an emotional debut race victory in the eighth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park as Shane Byrne claimed a pair of second place finishes to add to his Podium Points tally ahead of the Showdown.
Byrne had initially led the opening race but Bridewell was closing in on him after Ryuichi Kiyonari had been forced to retire from second place with a technical problem to his Buildbase BMW.
Bridewell was determined aboard his Milwaukee Yamaha and moved ahead of Byrne’s Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki as they crossed the line after ten laps. Byrne was ahead moments later as the red flags came out as rain began to fall. The result was declared at ten laps, with Bridewell the winner by just 0.005s, in his 138th race in the series.
The rider from Devizes dedicated the victory to his brother Ollie who had died in a racing accident seven years earlier. Bridewell said: “I am feeling so emotional about this victory and this one is for my brother Ollie. It is fantastic for me to get this first win because I have been trying so hard to push throughout my career with so much effort going into it.”
Byrne was second ahead of Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker who is pushing to score a position in the Showdown with Josh Brookes, who had earlier crashed his Milwaukee Yamaha in the wet practice session, in fourth.
Hickman who finished sixth in the opener on the RAF Reserves Honda, relished the wet conditions of the second race. He grabbed the lead on the opening lap from Byrne and then began to edge out the triple title-winner. The local contender from nearby Louth, had been drafted into the team in mid-season to replace Simon Andrews who lost his life at the North West 200 event earlier in the year.
Hickman said: “It feels unbelievable to win and what a place to do it than at home! We are only a small team so to think of a podium finish is great, but to actually do it is unreal. I had nothing at the start of the season and it was such an unfortunate way to come into the races, so this win is certainly for Simon.”
Two title contenders had troubles. Kiyonari crashed out of third place unhurt, while Brookes crashed out on the warm up lap and was unable to complete the race.
Results
Race one:
1: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.005s
3: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.231s
4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.339s
5: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +1.782s
6: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +2.397s
Race two:
1: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +3.398s
3: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +12.886s
4: Gary Mason (Tsingtao Kawasaki) +18.282s
5: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +24.701s
6: Jon Kirkham (Halsall Biker Gear Kawasaki) +28.781s
Championship standings:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 353
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 257
3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 202
4: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 183
5: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 170
6: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 160
