Glenn Irwin returned to the top step of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship podium at Oulton Park this afternoon, taking victory for the first time since Snetterton, as he was able to snatch the victory following a determined last lap move on Leon Haslam into Hislops.
Kyle Ryde took the lead initially from his Omologato Pole Position start but he soon dropped down the order and Glenn Irwin had hit the front as the pack reached Island for the first time from Haslam, Christian Iddon and Lee Jackson.
Iddon though was dicing with Irwin and then edged ahead but the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider crashed out on the exit of Shell and the Hager PBM Ducati rider had to take evasive action. That put him onto the grass and re-joining in seventh as Haslam moved to the front of the field.
Haslam then had the lead as he tried to edge an advantage ahead of Tommy Bridewell, who had been embroiled in a battle with BSB Pathway victor Lewis Rollo, who continued to relish the wet conditions on the IN Competition SENCAT Aprilia.
Rollo and Bridewell had been battling for second and by lap seven it was a four-way fight for second place down Cascades as Bridewell, Rollo, Irwin and Danny Kent fought for the podium places.
Irwin closed down Haslam and made his move on the last lap with a dive down the inside on the brakes into Hislops, whilst his ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team rival ran on and that handed second place to Kent, who had been fighting hard for McAMS Racing Yamaha.
Irwin took the victory from Kent with Haslam regaining a podium place in third, whilst Bridewell held off Rollo for fourth an important championship points as Kyle Ryde had a tough race to finish in 13th. That puts the reigning champion back at the top of the standings by nine points ahead of race three.
Jason O'Halloran was sixth ahead of Lee Jackson and Storm Stacey with Andrew Irwin and Fraser Rogers completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.679s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) +2.300s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +3.618s
- Lewis Rollo (IN Competition SENCAT Aprilia) +3.706s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +4.472s
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +4.762s
- Storm Stacey (LKQ Euro Car Parts Kawasaki) +7.811s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +12.351s
- Fraser Rogers (TAG Honda) +13.592s
For the full session result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 312
- Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 303
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 281
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 231
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 228
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 218
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 204
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) 195
- Jason O'Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 180
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 164