Ben Currie and the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team’s bid to defend their title came to unsuccessful end at the weekend, but their strong campaign throughout the season saw them take third in the British Supersport Championship.

Ben’s weekend at Brands Hatch initially got off to a good start with a first and third in the opening free practice sessions, which saw him jump straight into Q2. But disaster struck during qualifying on Saturday with Ben crashing out on the approach to Druids, resulting in a broken hand and injured foot.

After being cleared to race by the BSB medical team, Ben started Saturday’s Sprint Race down in Row 8 in 24th, with a monumental task ahead of him to bridge the 21-point deficit to championship leader Jack Kennedy. But a technical issue saw a premature end to Ben’s race, while Kennedy took both the win and the 2024 title.

Ben started Sunday’s feature race from the very back of the grid, but he rode through the pain barrier with his broken hand to climb all the way up from 40th to 18th at the flag, a heroic attempt to try to hang on to second in the championship ahead of Luke Stapleford. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, but Ben’s strong season, which included two wins, eight seconds, and four third place finishes, had already safely secured him third in the championship.

Ben Currie (Oxford Products Racing Ducati #1)

“It’s a bittersweet ending really. Obviously, disaster struck on Saturday in qualifying and I broke my hand and that was the end of the championship there for me.

We had a really good shout coming into this weekend, but unfortunately one mistake ruled it out really. I started on the last position of the grid in Sunday’s final feature race. And that was 40th position. I managed to come all the way through to about 18th. But I felt something go, something move in my hand on the very last lap. And that was the end of the race for me. I had to just bring it right at home. I fought all the way through the pack until that point.

Congratulations to Jack Kennedy on becoming champion this year, what a season it’s been fighting with him. A deserving champion. Now, a long winter, six months off, get the hand operated on, get it fit and ready for the new season and come back stronger, and try and get that number one plate back.”