The Samsung Honda team had a spectacular weekend at the ninth round of the British Superbike Championship at Donington Park, with Alex Lowes securing his second consecutive double win. He and team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari now occupy two of the six Title Fighter places ahead of the end-of-season Showdown.
In the opening race, Lowes got off to a flying start from the front row to hold the lead from the first lap. Despite coming under pressure from Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and James Ellison, the Lincolnshire lad put in an incredible performance to keep his rivals at bay and secure the victory.
A hard-fought and incredibly close second race saw Lowes score Honda’s first double win at Donington since 2004. Kiyonari meanwhile finished thirteenth and eleventh to secure his position as a Title Fighter ahead of the first of the Showdown rounds at Assen in The Netherlands on 21/22 September.
In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, Jason O'Halloran put in an impressive performance to finish on the podium for the third consecutive event with his best result of the season in second place.
Alex Lowes
I don’t think I have ever pushed as hard as I did at the end of those races to take the double. I wanted wins this weekend as the points make it close and I am really excited about the Showdown. It is so close so it should be really good fun at Assen.
Ryuichi Kiyonari
I have not had big problems but we haven’t been able to fix the small ones. We have been trying to improve set up again as I don’t have the feeling I need, but we have been trying things in order and trying to get a balance. I am happy for the Showdown and we need to see what we can do now at the final rounds.
Jason O’Halloran
The first part of the race is never the strongest for me and I always come good towards the end of the race and we have improved a lot from qualifying to the race. It has been great for the team so I need to thank them. It took me a long time to get ahead of Ben (Wilson) as he is so strong on the brakes. I then was trying to pass Billy but we made a pass at the Old Hairpin and we had to defend a little bit so he didn’t get ahead. It was a shame that Stuart got away a bit but I think we would have closed the gap in the final laps.
Havier Beltran – team manager
Following Cadwell Park the plan was to continue to be strong as a team. We discussed with Alex the need to beat the opposition on track ahead of Showdown so to do the double shows effort and his determination to try and win the championship, which is great moving on to Assen and Silverstone two circuits he loves and knows he can win. Today Kiyo secured his place in the Showdown although it is clear there is work to do to give him the winning package, I hope the Showdown gives us that opportunity, as we all know when he is on form his is capable of winning and we are yet to find the key to that form. Jason, from three rounds we have had three weekends of progressive approach and the determination shown has been fantastic to finish second today, I think if he hadn’t diced with Billy McConnell for so long he could have caught Stuart Easton so I am very happy with progress and looking forward to Assen.
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