Asher Durham got the better of Carl Harris at the end of a hard-fought Sportbike race this morning to take victory and the lead of the championship.
From pole, Harris got a clean getaway to lead into Redgate for the first time, as Durham slotted into second ahead of Cameron Dawson. Harris was able to control the race for the first couple of laps, until Durham hit the front at the end of Lap Three.
Alfie Davidson, who had led the points coming into this round, soon found himself in the mix as he moved up to second before passing Harris – who had moved back ahead of Durham on Lap Four – for the lead on Lap Five.
Davidson led until Lap Seven when Harris came back through followed by Harley McCabe. Davidson took the lead again on Lap Nine, but Harris stole it back a lap later, staying ahead until the final lap.
Durham, who had passed Davidson to move up to second on the penultimate lap, saved his best until last as he dived down the inside of Harris as they entered the Loop for the final time.
Harris tried in vain to get back ahead with an attempt around the outside at the final corner but couldn’t get alongside Durham, who took the win by 0.091secs.
Richard Cooper, meanwhile, bounced back from a huge mistake at the start to storm through the pack and steal third at the line, with Daniel Goodman fourth and Harley McCabe fifth.
Durham has now leapfrogged Davidson in the championship and will head into the final round at Brands Hatch with a three point lead.
Pirelli British Sportbike Championship, Race result:
1. Asher Durham (Powerslide Suzuki)
2. Carl Harris (ROKiT Rookies) +0.091s
3. Richard Cooper (Moto12/CFMoto) + 0.335s
4. Daniel Goodman (Fibre Tec Aprilia by MLav Racing) +0.831s
5. Harley McCabe (Fibre Tec Aprilia by MLav Racing) +1.295s
Championship positions after Round Nine:
1. Asher Durham 257
2. Alfie Davidson 254
3. Harley McCabe 195
4. Cameron Dawson 169
5. Adon Davie 158