RACE WINS, PERSONAL WINS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PACE WERE THE ORDER OF THE WEEKEND ACROSS EUROPE.
It was positivity abound over the weekend for our RICH Energy ambassadors competing across Europe in World Superbikes, Camathias Cup Sidecar, and Bennetts British Superbike support classes of Junior Supersport, Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup, and the Pirelli National Superstock Championship. With events taking place in France, Holland, and Norfolk, it was a busy weekend for all with multiple races held at each event, all taking wins but not always the top step of the podium.
In Hengelo, Netherlands, Tim Reeves, and passenger Kevin Rousseau took part in the Camathias Cup riding a classic BMW sidecar. The beautiful Rod Bellas chassis was a dream to race as the multiple World Champion was unbeaten across the weekend, lifting the Camathias Cup at the first attempt after scoring two excellent victories around the legendary circuit. Reeves also used the weekend as a TT test, using all available time to iron out any issues on the outfit.
At Magny-Cours, France, Honda World Superbike star, Alvaro Bautista enjoyed one of the best weekends to date aboard his Honda CBR1000RR-R with three strong top-ten finishes. After finishing P12 across Free Practice, the former MotoGP rider looked to take his chance in Qualifying but struggled to find a clean lap, only managing P14 at the end of the session. Bautista was confident of his race pace and that proved fruitful as he made a blistering start to race one on Saturday, making progress all race, including passing his teammate in the closing stages, to record a valuable 6th place.
On Sunday, the vital Superpole race was a chance to improve his grid slot for race two later on Sunday afternoon. Another perfect launch once again from P14 saw the Spaniard make light work of five riders early before once again hunting down his teammate for 7th place at the flag. The result gave BauBau a much-improved third row start and a lot less work to do for another top ten finish. The pace further up the grid was more even than through the pack, making progress a little more difficult, however, passes on Rinaldi and van der Mark in the closing stages gave Bautista another top-six finish. Three races, three top-ten finishes in what has been a difficult season is proof that not all wins are for crossing the line first.
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship rolled into Norfolk last weekend to the former USAAF base at Snetterton for Round 7 of the season where RICH Energy-backed riders Lewis Jones, and True Heroes Racing were all in action. A crash for Jones on Saturday during the opening HEL Performance Junior Supersport race left the Nottinghamshire youngster frustrated on his return to racing after recovering from an illness that kept him out of the last round at Donington Park but a good confidence-inspiring ride to 12th in the Sunday race set Jones up well for his favourite circuit of Silverstone this weekend.
The inspirational True Heroes Racing contested the Pirelli National Superstock race with series regulars Dave Sellers and Dave Mackay. Unfortunately for Scrawny Mackay, it was an early exit after a tip-off on the opening lap but fortunately the rider was ok other than dented pride while for Salty Sellars it was job done, coming home safely and on the same lap as the leaders who were running lap record pace all race. In the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup, Mike Long was the sole competitor for the team with Ben Falla unavailable for this round. Long, unfortunately, crashed out of the opening Ducati race but made amends in Sunday’s second race, coming home 23rd and again, wins aren’t always about who is fastest.
All our BSB riders will be action once again as the series moves immediately to Silverstone for Round 8 in support of the world’s best domestic motorcycle racing championship.