Peter Hickman claimed a maiden win in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, for Smiths Racing BMW at the weekend, the fourth of his career, and the first pole position for both himself and the team.
Though it was Jake Dixon, on his RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki, that took first blood, with a record breaking pole position lap around the Thruxton track. Dixon, from Folkestone in Kent, claiming his first ever pole in the BSB championship.
Josh Brookes took race one honours from second place on the grid, his first of the season, and a maiden win for the former BSB champions team, Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha.
Dixon had led from the start, but the safety car was deployed after Billy McConnell [Kawasaki] went down on the opening lap, just two laps later and it was Hickman who led, followed by Dixon and Brookes. Josh took his chance for second on lap fourteen, then grabbed the lead a lap later, holding on to the top spot as he crossed the line.
Hickman and Dixon climbed on to the podium in second and third respectively, with Shane Byrne [Ducati], and Christian Iddon [BMW] rounding out the top five.
“Really pleased to continue the good form at this event” enthused Brookes, “It’s no secret I do love the track, I don’t know if it’s because I keep winning here that I love it, or if it’s because I love it I keep winning, either way I’m not going to break the pattern.
“Very difficult race, the pace car changed the strategy a lot. Also having the race a little bit shorter than normal also had an effect. For whatever reason we came out on top. I’m really pleased for the Anvil Hire team, they put a lot of effort in and great they could get their first win of the year”.
Race two was Hickman’s chance to shine, but the man from Louth , in Lincolnshire, was made to work for his win, dropping as low as third place as the race went on. It was the BeWiser Ducati of championship leader Shane Byrne that looked to be on course for another victory, but ten laps in and he was struggling massively with tyre wear. Hickman took advantage, grabbing the lead on lap nine only to have the hard charging Josh Brookes nip through five laps later. Hickman kept the pressure on, and with just two laps left to go Brookes went down, unhurt, leaving Hickman to take the win followed by Jake Dixon.
Third place was decided on the last lap, as a battle between Iddon and the Kawasaki of Leon Haslam was won by Haslam at the last gasp. Iddon and Jason O’Halloran [Honda] completing the top five.
“We turned up with a bike that worked straight away, that doesn’t always happen when you come to Thruxton” explained Hickman. “Third in the championship now, right in with the title hunt, it’s looking really good, feeling really relaxed and happy with where I am, that just makes life a lot easier”.
Championship standings after Thruxton: 1. Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 203 2. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 184 3. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 164 4. Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 161 5. Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 154 6. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 154