MCE British Superbike contenders feel the need for speed as Thruxton beckons
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship contenders get set for the fastest round on the calendar this weekend (July 22/23/24) as the UK’s premier motorsport series hits Thruxton in Hampshire for the sixth round of the season.
There have been six different winners already this season with Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran becoming the latest victor last time out at Snetterton and causing another reshuffle of the top six in the standings yet again.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings
- Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 156
- Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 152
- Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 116
- Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 111
- Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 104
- Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) 98
Four-time champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne arrives in Hampshire as the championship leader by a slender four points and as it’s the home round of their title sponsor Be Wiser, the Ducati team will be pushing to add to their Snetterton victory.
Leon Haslam missed out on the podium last time out at Snetterton, but at the JG Speedfit round of the season this weekend the ‘Pocket Rocket’ will be determined to surpass his arch rival Byrne, and reclaim a position at the top of the standings. The Derbyshire contender holds second place in the standings, but behind the leading pair the chasing pack is on the hunt for Thruxton glory.
The Honda Racing pairing of O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot were virtually inseparable at Snetterton and they hold third and fourth place in the standings ahead of the weekend. Just five points separate the team-mates and Linfoot finished on the podium at Thruxton last season so he will have high hopes of securing an elusive first MCE BSB victory.
Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon still holds fifth place in the standings and after a tough weekend at Snetterton after bouncing back from a finger injury, he is eager to return to the podium finishing form from the start of the season when he secured four consecutive top three finishes.
Buildbase BMW’s Richard Cooper currently holds the final Showdown position ahead of this weekend, splitting the Tyco BMWs after Michael Laverty dropped to seventh by eight points with James Ellison just a single further point adrift in eighth.
Local teams Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati and Quattro Plant Kawasaki will both be hoping their home support gives them an extra boost as Danny Buchan and Luke Mossey bid for podium finishes this weekend.
Tommy Bridewell is another local contender bidding to make a podium return; the Bennetts Suzuki rider scored a third place at Brands Hatch and the Devizes contender will be bidding to move back up the championship order this weekend.
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) – Championship leader
“Thruxton is a wicked circuit and unlike anywhere else we go on the calendar. It is so much fun to ride and I can’t wait to get started this weekend. We haven’t tested there so we don’t know how the Be Wiser Ducati will suit the circuit but we saw last year that Hooper had a strong performance on the Panigale so we are hoping this will be another good round for us.
“We are going there with a blank sheet of paper and with the aim of improving with every session as always. We want to start the weekend fast and only get faster!”
