O’Halloran overcomes rivals in intense battle to become fifth different race winner in 2023

O’Halloran overcomes rivals in intense battle to become fifth different race winner in 2023

21 May 2023

Jason O'Halloran ended his recent run of torrid fortunes by claiming his first victory in the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship to become the fifth different race winner of the season following a sensational second race at Donington Park.

Kyle Ryde again launched off the line with an incredible start from the front row with Leon Haslam and O’Halloran in close contention. Andrew Irwin was also inside the top five, but he crashed out unhurt at the Old Hairpin on the second lap.

Ryde was holding the advantage but behind Haslam and O’Halloran were trading blows for second place as Tommy Bridewell was also soon in the lead group of four pushing for the podium finishes.

It was a disappointing race for the BeerMonster Ducati team when Glenn Irwin crashed out on lap five at Redgate as he tried to make his way up the order after a difficult start, dropping to 14th after the opening lap.

In the battle for the podium, Ryde was still leading the pack, but he couldn’t bridge the advantage and behind him, Haslam, Bridewell and O’Halloran were swapping positions in their quest for the top three.

It was heartbreak for Ryde though when he crashed out of the lead on lap 12 and with debris from the stricken LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha, the BMW Safety Car was deployed as the Herock Racesafe Marshals cleared the crash damage.

There was then just five laps left to decide the winner when the race resumed and it became a six way battle initially as Haslam instantly made a move on Bridewell into the Old Hairpin, but O’Halloran made a move too and that eased the lone BeerMonster Ducati into third.

O’Halloran hit the front of the pack, but Haslam instantly fought back to regain the position into the Fogarty Esses.

Haslam then had the lead, but into Redgate on lap 16 Bridewell made a decisive pass to snatch the advantage with O’Halloran still holding third place but soon having Josh Brookes for company who had joined the pack after the BMW Safety Car period.

Bridewell was leading with three laps remaining ahead of O’Halloran and Haslam, but the ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider was into second place with a move at Redgate, only for his McAMS Yamaha rival to regain the advantage ta McLeans.

 O’Halloran had hit the front by the start of lap 18, but behind Bridewell was forced to retire the BeerMonster Ducati, relinquishing his lead in the standings. Meanwhile, Ryan Vickers put himself firmly in the podium fight and was up to second place ahead of Haslam and Brookes.

O’Halloran had the edge at the chequered flag to return to winning ways, just ahead of Vickers who celebrated an emotional debut podium in Bennetts BSB with Brookes taking third to move into the championship lead.

Haslam claimed fourth place, just ahead of Lee Jackson on the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki with Charlie Nesbitt completing the top six. Peter Hickman was seventh ahead of Tom Neave who celebrated his best finish for Honda Racing UK in eighth place.

Christian Iddon was ninth despite illness whilst Jack Kennedy claimed another top ten finish for the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha team.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 2 result:

  1. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
  2. Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.347s
  3. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) +1.797s
  4. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +2.517s
  5. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +3.927s
  6. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) +5.690s
  7. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) +6.564s
  8. Tom Neave (Honda Racing UK) +7.408s
  9. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +7.790s
  10. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) +8.153s

For the full race result please click here

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

  1. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) 111
  2. Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 103
  3. Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 102
  4. Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 102
  5. Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 91
  6. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 61
  7. Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 60
  8. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 46
  9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 44
  10. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) 43

 For the full standings please click here

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