Next stop Scotland as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Knockhill
There will be another Aussie on the BSB grid at Knockhill with Josh Hook joining WD-40 Kawasaki
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns this weekend (June 24/25/26) for round four as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill in Scotland with just three points separating Leon Haslam from Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne at the top of the standings.
The opening six races of the season have produced five different race winners with a further three different riders securing podium finishes, and as the championship prepares for its annual visit to Knockhill, Leon Haslam and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team hold the narrow advantage in the standings.
Haslam is the only rider to have notched up more than one race victory, which moved him to the top of the standings after Brands Hatch. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ has good memories of the frantic Knockhill circuit and the last time he raced there in 2008, he was victorious in the second race.
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne claimed his first victory with the Be Wiser Ducati at his home round and the four-time champion is ready to come out all guns blazing in Scotland, given that he was a double winner there last season.
Christian Iddon has come tantalising close to securing his first race victory, the Stockport-based rider has celebrated four podium finishes from the opening six races and the Tyco BMW rider will be pushing to add his name to the winners list.
Richard Cooper’s return to the podium at Brands Hatch off the back of his debut win at Oulton Park puts the Buildbase BMW rider in fourth place overall in the standings and just eight points ahead of Silverstone race-winner Michael Laverty on the second of the Tyco BMWs ahead of the two races this weekend.
Jason O’Halloran leads the three-strong Honda Racing charge and narrowly missed out on the podium at Oulton Park; something that the Australian will want to change if he is going to remain ahead of the hunting pack of JG Speedfit Kawasaki duo James Ellison and Peter Hickman.
Tommy Bridewell’s first podium finish of the season for the Bennetts Suzuki means the top ten in the standings features five different manufacturers, whilst Luke Mossey and Quattro Plant Kawasaki complete the top ten ahead of Knockhill to make it seven different teams represented.
Sheffield based GR Motosport have welcomed young Australian Josh Hook on to their Team WD-40 Superbike for the fourth round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
Josh, who came to the team highly recommended by WSB star Leon Camier recently completed a two-day BSB test at Snetterton to familiarise himself with the Team and bike.
Leon Haslam – (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) – Championship leader
“Although Knockhill is another circuit I’ve not visited for eight years, and is very different to the tracks I’m used to, it’s a place I’m really looking forward to going back to.
“I’ve won in the past round there and after a very good test at Snetterton I’m confident we can be challenging for top honours again this weekend.”
Stuart Easton – Knockhill home round – (ePayMe Yamaha)
“I always get excited for the Knockhill round as we only get to race in Scotland once a year and it is my one and only home race so I always look forward to it.
“Last year I had a really good weekend there with a pair of second place finishes and over the last few years I have had some good results there so I can’t wait to get back this weekend. We made some big progress at Brands Hatch on raceday so hopefully we can get to Knockhill and continue on where we left off. I need to improve my qualifying one off lap, but my race pace is consistent and I am looking forward to getting the party started.”
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings
- Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 93
- Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 90
- Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 86
- Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) 74
- Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 66
- Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 62
