Billy McConnell BSB Supersport Champion

Billy McConnell British Supersport Champion

Billy McConnell had to dig deep in his resolve to finally be crowned the Motorpoint British Supersport Champion. The Aussie had a difficult final round weekend at Brands Hatch but riding measured races he racked up enough points, with ninth and eighth place finishes, to take the title for the Smiths Triumph team.

McConnell said: “It’s been a stressful last couple of rounds but to finally win the British Championship is brilliant and I was crying my eyes out on that final lap. I’ve come so close in recent years and it’s probably why my results haven’t been the greatest in the final races as I wanted it so bad.

“I’ve got a fantastic team behind me and we’ve been consistent over the 12 rounds whilst I’ve had a fantastic team-mate pushing me all year so I feel for Graeme. It’s a shame he went out early and that little bit of extra luck that you need was on my side this weekend. I’ve been in the top three for the last five years so to win at last is amazing and very emotional,” added McConnell.

McConnell’s team-mate Graeme Gowland, who crashed out of the Feature race, lost out in the scrap for runner-up position in the standings to MarTrain Yamaha’s Alastair Seeley.

The Ulsterman took a second place to Gearlink Kawasaki’s Glenn Irwin in the Sprint race and then enjoyed an eighth victory of the campaign in the final race of the season to move within four points of McConnell.

Josh Day, riding the Ruby Racing Triumph, took a double victory in the Supersport EVO category.