British Superbike series leader Tommy Hill had a perfect race day as many of his title rivals suffered misfortune at the uniquely testing Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire at the weekend. This eight event marks the penultimate round of the ‘Main’ season before the series elevates the top six points scorers at Donington Park, for a three round ‘Showdown’ for the prestigious BSB crown.
Title contender Shane Byrne crashed heavily in qualifying and could well benefit from the system as he potentially has to sit out Donington with a badly dislocated shoulder. Shakey said: “My aim is to be fit as soon as I can as the Showdown might work for me this time. If I feel strong enough for Donington I will ride, if not I will wait for Assen as I haven’t given up on the title just yet. “
Noriyuki Haga also suffered an accident in practice resulting in a broken collarbone that curtailed his event but unlike Byrne he has now lost his position in the top six ‘Title Fighters’ to sensation of the race meeting; Alex Lowes.
Qualifying saw some surprise names at the top of the timesheets as riders showed their nerve on a tricky, damp, patchy circuit. Alex Lowes took the pole position from Hill, with hard charging class returnee Karl Harris in fifth and young Danny Buchan alongside him in sixth, well and truly getting into his Superbike stride.