Tommy Bridewell claimed an incredible race two victory to move back to the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings by four points ahead of the crucial final race of the season at Brands Hatch this afternoon following a dogfight with rival Kyle Ryde.
The reigning champion’s Honda Racing UK machine swapped positions multiple times with Ryde on the OMG GRILLA Racing Yamaha, before surging home to take the chequered flag in emphatic style. This sets up a winner-takes-all conclusion to the Showdown Finale later on, with both riders knowing that a win will secure the title.
It was Ryde’s teammate Ryan Vickers who led initially, beating Omologato Pole Position sitter Danny Kent off the line, but both title rivals were on the move early on with Bridewell passing Saturday winner Kent at Druids before Ryde also passed him at Hawthorn. Bridewell continued to move forwards by passing Vickers at Druids on the second lap, with Ryde opportunistically following through.
From there, the race transformed into a blockbuster clash between the two title protagonists as they raced clear of the chasing pack. Ryde made his first serious attempt for the lead at Hawthorn on lap three, but Bridewell immediately re-passed him on the exit, setting up a repeating theme for the 12-lap contest.
The race reached boiling point on lap seven when Ryde attempted another pass through the high-speed right hander at Hawthorn, but Bridewell immediately cut back on the exit. Ryde then flew past through Westfield, but his lead once again lasted mere moments as Bridewell launched up the inside at Stirlings.
Ryde ended the lap with a bold pass through Clark Curve, the fourth change of lead that lap, before Bridewell used his stronger driver out of the corner to lead once more as the duo arrived at Paddock Hill Bend for the eighth time. The last corner move was attempted again that lap, but Bridewell once again out-dragged Ryde across the line to hold on.
On lap nine, Ryde made yet another bid for victory at Hawthorn and this time held on despite an attempt from Bridewell to regain the inside line for Westfield. The Honda once again found a way to slip up the inside at Stirlings however, ensuring Bridewell emerged from the woodland section of the track ahead with just three laps to run.
Thereafter, Bridewell rode impressively home to the finish, setting the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate tour before crossing the line 0.257s clear of Ryde. And the five-point swing, puts him four points clear with just 20 laps of the season left to run in this afternoon’s season closing race.
Vickers completed the podium, the best part of five seconds back from the duel at the front, with Kent fourth as he closed down the gap to Glenn Irwin for third in the points standings. Josh Brookes was fifth ahead of Andrew Irwin, with Max Cook, Peter Hickman, Charlie Nesbitt and Glenn Irwin rounding out the top-10.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 Result:
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK)
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +0.257s
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +4.679s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +6.312s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +8.057s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +8.203s
- Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +8.290s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +8.781s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +9.497s
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +9.912s
For the full race result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 456
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 452
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 364
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 349
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 322
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) 251
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 229
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 228
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 212
For the full standings please click here