Ryan Vickers was unstoppable in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at Brands Hatch as the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider delivered an inch-perfect performance, whilst behind the battle for the final podium positions was a four-way fight.
At the start, Vickers immediately hit the front of the pack into Paddock Hill Bend ahead of Danny Kent, Glenn Irwin, Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell. However, the fight at the front was short lived for Kent when he crashed out of second place on the third lap at Stirlings.
Vickers set an incredible pace to break the pack to return to the top step of the podium for the first time since the season opener at Circuito de Navarra, celebrating his third victory of the year to get his title campaign firmly back on track.
There was a four-way tussle for the final podium positions with Hager PBM Ducati’s Glenn Irwin initially leading Bridewell, Iddon and Leon Haslam, but Andrew Irwin was on the move in the second half of the race and he dispensed with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team rider ahead of him.
On lap seven, Bridewell made his move on Glenn Irwin at Stirlings as the arch rivals continued their intense rivalry and the pair switched places again at Hawthorns on lap 13 when the Ducati contender moved back ahead.
Iddon was next to strike and he attacked Bridewell at Paddock Hill Bend, but the reigning champion instantly fought back to regain the position with a move at Stirlings on lap 14.
A lap later and Glenn Irwin was holding second from Bridewell as Andrew Irwin moved ahead of Iddon with a dive down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend. Whilst Bridewell dived ahead of Glenn Irwin at Stirlings before his rival recaptured the position before Clearways.
Bridewell wasn’t done and he made another move on the Hager PBM Ducati rider to take an emotional second place on the anniversary of losing his brother Ollie, meanwhile Andrew Irwin was also able to pass Glenn Irwin with five laps to go.
Bridewell and Andrew Irwin made it a double podium celebration for Honda Racing UK as they continue their resurgence after a tough season last year, relegating Glenn Irwin to fourth ahead of Iddon.
Glenn Irwin and Bridewell now head into tomorrow’s two races equal on points at the top of the standings.
Haslam held off the fight from Kyle Ryde for sixth place with Lee Jackson, Jason O'Halloran and Danny Buchan completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 1 result:
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing)
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +7.334s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +7.520s
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +8.678s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +9.095s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) +10.708s
- Kyle Ryde ( OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +11.297s
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +14.822s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +14.862s
- Danny Buchan (DAO Racing Kawasaki) +16.352s
For the full race result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 189
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 189
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 167
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 157
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 147
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 115
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 110
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 105
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 85
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 85
For the full standings please click here