BSB THRUXTON, HILL AND BROOKES SHARE THE VICTORIES

Tommy Hill extended his lead in the early season chase for the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown with a first race win but in this second round at Thruxton Josh Brookes emerged as a real contender for honours as he enjoyed his maiden victory in the series.

In the opening race at the Hampshire circuit, HM Plant Honda rider Brookes had the edge over Hill until the penultimate lap when the decisive move came on the fast approach to the Club Chicane.

Hill nosed his Worx Crescent Suzuki into the lead, and headed off Brookes by 0.818secs to complete his second victory of the season, and afterwards he reflected: “It was a case of having a chance and taking it. I decided to go for it, everyone was moving around, sliding a bit, then the opportunity came. I made the move and pushed on to take the race.”

It was the perfect ending to a bitter-sweet weekend for Hill who had taken a bruising in a heavy tumble in practice, then bounced back to claim pole start at record pace. “It certainly feels good to be ahead in the points. The team have done a top job for me again.”

Yukio Kagayama enjoyed his first podium finish in that race, relegating Swan Honda’s Stuart Easton, who had led the first half of the race, into fourth place ahead of the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati duo of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessop who was rewarded for his race pace with pole start for the second race, Read More