SUPERPICKS Qualifying

Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell claimed the opening pole position of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season at Oulton Park, holding off Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon and Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie in the SUPERPICKS Q2 session.

The opening SUPERPICKS Q1 of the season was a close fought affair as the participating riders pushed to be inside the top six and to take their place in Q2 with the SUPERPICKS 12. However, at the chequered flag it was Kyle Ryde, Ryan Vickers, Josh Owens, Joe Francis, Rory Skinner and Andrew Irwin who made the cut.

Owens had a costly crash in the final minute of the SUPERPICKS Q1 session at Cascades, meaning he didn’t line up in the second stage despite making it through as 18 riders went head-to-head for the pole position.

Iddon had started the session strongly and was leading the way as the session entered the final ten minutes, but then Bridewell snatched the advantage at the top of the times.

Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran was also upping the pace on the McAMS Yamaha, however he will start fourth for this afternoon’s opening race after a technical problem with six minutes remaining sidelined him from a real time attack at the end of SUPERPICKS Q2.

Bridewell held the advantage at the chequered flag with Iddon and Mackenzie completing the SUPERPICKS 3 front row.

O’Halloran’s issues means he heads row two, maintaining his place ahead of the lone FHO Racing BMW of Peter Hickman; his teammate Xavi Forés has been declared unfit with a scaphoid injury to his right hand.

Ryde completes row two ahead of his teammate Bradley Ray, Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin and defending champion Josh Brookes. Gino Rea completed the top ten for Buildbase Suzuki.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, SUPERPICKS Qualifying result:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1m:34.494s
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.173s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.197s
4. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.209s
5. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.263s
6. Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.279s
7. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.323s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.391s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.391s
10. Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.457s

Race 1

Jason O’Halloran returned to winning ways in the opening BikeSocial race of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park, withstanding earlier pressure from both Christian Iddon and Tommy Bridewell to be victorious for McAMS Yamaha.

Iddon had hit the front of the pack on the opening lap as he launched off the front row to lead into Old Hall for the first time ahead of O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie.

As Iddon led the pack, O’Halloran was looking to make his move, but it wasn’t until lap eight when he could make it ahead with a move down the inside at Old Hall.

The VisionTrack Ducati rider tried to reclaim the position, edging ahead as the crossed the line on the tenth lap, but O’Halloran had the lead into Old Hall.

The McAMS Yamaha rider held off the challenge until the chequered flag as Iddon claimed second place for VisionTrack Ducati with Bridewell in third to continue his successful weekend so far for Oxford Products Racing Ducati.

Peter Hickman was just adrift of the leading trio to lead the BMW contenders to score fourth place on the FHO Racing BMW team debut at Oulton Park.

Tarran Mackenzie finished in a lone fifth place ahead of Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin and Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW’s Kyle Ryde after teammate Bradley Ray was forced to retire in the early stages of the race.

Lee Jackson scored FS-3 Kawasaki eighth place, maintaining his position ahead of Ryan Vickers and Josh Brookes as the reigning champion completed the top ten.

It was a disappointing opening race for SYNETIQ BMW’s Andrew Irwin, who crashed out at Old Hall and Buildbase Suzuki’s Danny Kent, who slid off at Lodge.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, BikeSocial Race 1:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.630s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +1.408s
4. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +5.913s
5. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +12.954s
6. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +15.889s
7. Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +16.155s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +16.578s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +17.074s
10. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +17.918s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park, BikeSocial Race 1:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 25
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 20
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 16
4. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 13
5. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 11
6. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 10
7. Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) 9
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) 8

Race 2

Jason O’Halloran doubled up on victories in the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Oulton Park, pulling off an exuberant last corner move on Christian Iddon at Lodge to secure the win.

O’Halloran had taken the lead on the opening lap after getting a flying start from the pole position, but Iddon instantly made a move to hit the front of the pack.

Peter Hickman meanwhile had snuck into second place by the end of the opening lap, pushing O’Halloran into third. As the pair crossed the line they were side-by-side on lap three but the McAMS Yamaha rider moved into second on the brakes at Lodge.

Hickman was fighting back instantly and made a move into Old Hall on the next lap as Iddon held the position at the front of the field.

On lap five contact between Tommy Bridewell and Tarran Mackenzie in the battle for fifth resulted in the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider forced to retire with a broken chain. Mackenzie meanwhile was able to re-join and carve his way back through the order to salvage sixth place.

Iddon was holding the lead for the remainder of the race as O’Halloran tried on multiple occasions to try and make a move on his VisionTrack Ducati rival. It wasn’t until the final lap though when he went for a last ditch attempt to grab the lead into the final corner of Lodge for the last time.

O’Halloran managed to outbrake his rival and keep the McAMS Yamaha ahead on the drag up Deer Leap to take the chequered flag with Hickman celebrating the FHO Racing BMW team’s first podium finish in third place.

There was an intense battle for fourth place, which went the way of SYNETIQ BMW’s Danny Buchan, despite coming under immense pressure throughout the closing stages of the race.

Bradley Ray claimed fifth place for Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW after moving ahead on the penultimate lap as Mackenzie managed to move ahead of Josh Brookes, Lee Jackson and Glenn Irwin.

Kyle Ryde completed the top ten for Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW as the riders prepare for race three this afternoon.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race two result:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.103s
3. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +7.057s
4. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +11.059s
5. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +11.101s
6. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +11.752s
7. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +11.816s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +12.353s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +12.533s
10. Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +12.570s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park Race 2:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 50
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 40
3. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 29
4. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 21
5. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 17
6. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 17
7. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 16
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) 16

Race 3

Jason O’Halloran delivered an imperious performance once again to secure the final victory of the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship weekend at Oulton Park, again waiting for a last lap attack on Christian Iddon to win for McAMS Yamaha.

Iddon once again got a lightning start off the line to lead O’Halloran on the opening lap with Peter Hickman again tucked into third after his pole positon start.

Tarran Mackenzie had fired himself into fifth place ahead of Kyle Ryde, Ryan Vickers and Lee Jackson with defending champion Josh Brookes in eighth place.

O’Halloran was shadowing Iddon throughout the race and on more than one occasion looked to find a way ahead, but the VisionTrack Ducati rider was holding him at bay.

As the leading pair renewed their rivalry from the earlier race, the positions behind were constantly changing as Hickman came under fire from Mackenzie, who made a move on the tenth lap to put himself in podium contention.

Whilst the scrap for fourth continued, Tommy Bridewell was carving his way through from his 12th position start and he was soon piling the pressure on the riders ahead of him.

By lap 11, Bridewell was into fifth before he made a move on Hickman, who was beginning to suffer from arm pump, and then he was targeting Mackenzie.

Bridewell made his move on the McAMS Yamaha rider on lap 16 with a decisive move on the brakes as he bid to close the leading pair.

The victory would once again come down to a final lap decider as O’Halloran made a brave overtake on the run down Lakeside to lead into Shell Oils corner.

Iddon tried to retaliate but had to settle for second and consecutive run of podium finishes to lead the charge for VisionTrack Ducati.

Bridewell defended hard at Lodge on the final lap to hold off Mackenzie for third with Hickman completing the top five for FHO Racing BMW.

Brookes held sixth after a race-long battle with Jackson and Danny Buchan, as the trio got the better of Vickers. Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin completed the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 3 result:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.569s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.781s
4. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +1.025s
5. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.949s
6. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +10.024s
7. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +10.182s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +10.715s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +13.054s
10. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +18.366s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park:

1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 75
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 60
3. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 40
4. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 34
5. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 32
6. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 25
7. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 25
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) 25

Jason O’Hallloran
“That was a very good weekend! It’s always nice to start with a win but starting with three is pretty special! I’ve won five of the last six races and it’s just been a perfect start for us. We’ve been one of the strongest in pre-season but to put it into some races is a different thing and we were able to do that this weekend in all conditions. Winning yesterday was good because it’s the first one of the year but to win the two today in the way I did shows we’ve taken a step forward and that’s signs of things to come.”

Tarran Mackenzie
“It was a good weekend because we were able to progress in every session. We came here with a target of trying to get into the 34’s and that’s what we were able to do. We chipped away at it each session; we had a little mishap in the second race but when I did come back on track I had good pace. I knew that if I could go with the leaders, I could get dragged round and that was the case. It’s another step towards getting on the podium and fighting for wins, I think we need to find a little bit more, but I can’t complain. Oulton Park’s an important track because we come back here later in the year for the Showdown so it’s nice to make that step and go home with a smile on my face!”

Steve Rodgers – McAMS Yamaha Team Owner
“What can I say? That was a mega weekend! You can’t get better than starting the season with three victories, and to win in the way Jason did today was really impressive. He remained calm throughout the races and made the move when it mattered on the last lap which was simply brilliant. Tarran had a really good weekend. He hasn’t had the best of results at Oulton in the past, his target was to get some top five finishes and I think he exceeded that goal by showing his speed in the final race and getting in the mix for the podium. You can’t complain with how we started this season, now we’ve just got to keep it up for the next ten rounds!”