Rhys Irwin emerged victorious at the end of a hectic 10 lap Sprint race, boosting his championship lead with one of his strongest rides of the year.
With grid positions determined by Free Practice times, Moto Rapido Ducati’s Ben Currie headed the grid ahead of Gearlink Bike Performance 15’s Irwin and got the best start to lead into the first corner.
Irwin settled into second ahead of Joe Talbot and defending champion Jack Kennedy and led for the first four laps as the pack behind squabbled between themselves.
But it was all change on Lap Five as Kennedy, now sitting second, found a way past Currie, who hit straight back. Neither wanted to give up the spot but as Kennedy got back ahead once again, Talbot found a way past Currie and into second.
Seconds later, Irwin, who had dropped back to fourth, powered past Currie up to third and two laps later found a way past both Talbot and Kennedy to hit the front.
The points leader tried to break a gap at the front but couldn’t shake off Kennedy who was determined to find a way past. On the final lap he looked set to finally make a move but from nowhere, Talbot scythed through and into second.
Kennedy fought back to re-take second but Talbot was back ahead seconds later and by now, Irwin was too far ahead to be caught, taking the win by 0.496secs.
Talbot got second at the flag with Kennedy forced to settle for third with Currie fourth and Eugene McManus fifth.
In the Cup class, Ben Tolliday was first rider home with Stephen Thomas second and Josh Bannister third.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Sprint result:
1. Rhys Irwin (Gearlink Bike Performance 15)
2. Joe Talbot (Binch Pro Ducati) +0.496s
3. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +0.633s
4. Ben Currie (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +0.751s
5. Eugene McManus (MMB Racing Ducati) +1.303s