Luke Stapleford has been crowned the 2026 British Supersport Championship – 11 years after he last celebrated the title.
The Scars-Racing Ducati rider crossed the line third at the end of today’s Sprint race to seal the deal, as Oli Bayliss stormed to his 11th win of the year.
“This has been the target for the last few years so it’s a big weight off the shoulders,” he said. “I’ve been under pressure the last few rounds and it was my crash at Donington that made it difficult for the boys and for me so I felt the pressure going into this one.
"I think we’d have liked to get it done at Donington and it didn’t go to plan so that didn’t help but the weight is off the shoulders now so I can relax and enjoy it.”
After a solid and strong year, Stapleford played it cool in today’s race as Oli Bayliss and Jack Kennedy fought it out for the win.
Kennedy hit the front on the opening lap after passing Oliver Barr who had got away at front from pole as behind, Bayliss was fifth. It took the Australian – who has won more races than anyone else this season despite missing the first two rounds – just two laps to catch and pass Stapleford and move into second position.
Now behind Honda Racing UK’s Kennedy, Bayliss closed in and eventually made the move on Lap Nine. Kennedy tried in vain to catch and get back ahead but couldn’t quite make it, eventually crossing the line just 0.046secs adrift of Bayliss
Stapleford crossed the line third to take the title with Ben Currie fourth and Dean Harrison fifth.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Sprint race result:
1. Oli Bayliss (Triumph Macadam Factory Racing)
2. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) 0.046s
3. Luke Stapleford (Scars-Racing Ducati) +1.504s
4. Ben Currie (McAMS Yamaha) +2.059s
5. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) +2.732s