James McManus claimed his second victory of the Hel Performance British Junior Supersport Championship season at Donington Park, celebrating the win after an intense race-long battle.
Kieran Kent led the pack off the line on the opening lap ahead of McManus and Kieran Smith, but Jack Roach was also embroiled in the podium fight. Roach then hit the front of the pack on the second lap, before Kent regained the position, whilst McManus was also vying for the advantage.
On the third lap, McManus had hit the front, pushing his rivals down the order with Roach, Smith and Kent giving chase. As they crossed the line to start the fourth lap though, it was Roach, Smith and then McManus as the positions continued to change.
McManus recaptured the lead on the fourth lap from Roach and Charlie Atkins who made his way up the order as the battle for the podium approached half race distance.
The pack shuffled again at the start of the fifth lap as Atkins took the lead, but McManus instantly fought back to regain the position. Kent and Roach were giving chase, as Mikey Hardie also joined the tussle for the top three.
As the laps ticked down McManus still held the advantage but he was battling with Atkins with Hardie, Kent and Roach all gunning for a last lap attack.
McManus led onto the final lap and was able to hold off the challenge from Atkins as Kent moved into third to complete the podium as the lead group took the chequered flag. Roach just missed out in fourth place as Joe Ellis completed the top five.
Hel Performance British Junior Supersport Championship, Donington Park, Race 1 result:
- James McManus (Completely Motorbikes / Affinity Kawasaki)
- Charlie Atkins (Symcirrus Motorsport) +0.515s
- Kieran Kent (D&P Lovell Kent Racing Kawasaki) +0.856s
- Jack Roach (Completely Motorbikes / Affinity Kawasaki) +2.220s
- Joe Ellis (JPR) +8.659s