This weekend (2/3/4 October) England and Australia will clash in a head-to-head battle for supremacy and at Silverstone the home heroes will be determined to quash Josh Brookes’ aspirations of extending his lead in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.
Brookes started the Showdown with an impressive double win last time out at Assen for the Milwaukee Yamaha team to lead the championship standings by 28 points, but the home defenders are lining up to tackle their Australian rival and bring down his advantage ahead of the Brands Hatch season finale.
Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne needs to respond with a resurgent performance this weekend as he continues his ‘strive for five’ titles after losing ground in the standings at Assen. The PBM Kawasaki rider is confident of a strong retaliation at Silverstone following a positive test earlier in the week and has strong form at the circuit – finishing in the top two positions in each of the previous six races.
James Ellison is also ready to stake his claim to the championship title as he tries to overhaul the leading pair this weekend. A double podium finish at the opening round of the Showdown at Assen boosted his chances and puts the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider within striking distance of the top.
Michael Laverty and Tommy Bridewell are hoping they can charge through the field for the Tyco BMW team; the fast and flat out nature of the Northamptonshire circuit could prove to be the ideal match for the BMW and both riders are out to score big points this weekend.
Dan Linfoot had a disastrous time at Assen and paid the penalty by scoring just two points but the Honda Racing rider is determined to turn his fortunes around this weekend, however outside of the top six in the standings the Showdown spoilers are menacingly lining up to attack.
Richard Cooper on the Buildbase BMW currently holds seventh position in the standings but after a podium finish at Assen, rookie Luke Mossey is just eight points adrift and ready to pull off a repeat performance for Quattro Plant Kawasaki this weekend.
Fellow rookie Danny Buchan will line up in the title-defending PBM Kawasaki team this weekend in place of Stuart Easton, who continues his recovery from injury, and he could be the wing man that Byrne needs on Sunday.
Championship standings ahead of Silverstone:
1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 603
2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 575
3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 562
4: Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 523
5: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) 515
6: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 509
For more information visit http://www.britishsuperbike.com |