The Samsung Honda team is celebrating its fourth British
Superbike Championship title after Alex Lowes defeated Shane Byrne in the final
race of the season at Brands Hatch to become the youngest-ever BSB champion.
The triple-header event – which took
place in mixed conditions – was packed with drama that kept the fans on the
edge of their seats and took the title fight down to the final lap of the final
race. Lowes took second place in the first race of the weekend on Saturday, but
a crash in the second race on Sunday would have put him on the back foot had
title rival Byrne not also crashed out, leaving the Samsung Honda rider with a
three-point advantage.
With Josh Brookes snatching an early
and unchallengeable lead in the final race, Lowes and Byrne went head-to-head
for second place, battling fiercely for the points that would ultimately award
one of them the championship title. In the end, it came down to the last lap
and it was Lowes aboard the Samsung Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade that had the
edge, taking second place to secure his first – and the team’s fourth – BSB
crown. Freddy Foray finished thirteenth, tenth and fourteenth as he deputised
for Ryuichi Kiyonari.
In the Motorpoint British Supersport
Championship Jason O'Halloran missed out on the podium in the Sprint race with
a fifth place and crashed out whilst dicing with the lead group in the final
race. He ends the season in sixth place overall.
Alex Lowes
I’m pretty happy. It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane was closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see. It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass him if I wanted the title so I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title. To me that really is incredible, because its always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. Saturday’s race was hard – it was difficult to know where the grip was so it was a case of keeping calm and then pushing hard. It felt pretty good but it was quite slippery. In Sunday’s first race Josh Brookes touched my bar and I went down – it was not my fault and I can’t be angry about something that is out of my control. It was one of those things, unfortunate.
I’m pretty happy. It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane was closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see. It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass him if I wanted the title so I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title. To me that really is incredible, because its always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. Saturday’s race was hard – it was difficult to know where the grip was so it was a case of keeping calm and then pushing hard. It felt pretty good but it was quite slippery. In Sunday’s first race Josh Brookes touched my bar and I went down – it was not my fault and I can’t be angry about something that is out of my control. It was one of those things, unfortunate.
Freddy Foray
To come into this championship for two rounds was not easy but
it was an opportunity that I could not turn down. I was more confident here
than at Silverstone even though the conditions were difficult. I didn’t want to
make any mistakes and was pleased to score points. I am very happy to have
worked with the team, who are all very friendly, and it has been very good
experience for me.
Jason O’Halloran
That was not the way I wanted to finish off the season, but that's racing. I was pushing to try and catch the lead group and I just folded the front at Paddock Hill, which was obviously disappointing but it's been a good second half to the season with podiums, pole positions and fastest laps. I just want to say a big thanks to the whole Samsung Honda team for a great season.
That was not the way I wanted to finish off the season, but that's racing. I was pushing to try and catch the lead group and I just folded the front at Paddock Hill, which was obviously disappointing but it's been a good second half to the season with podiums, pole positions and fastest laps. I just want to say a big thanks to the whole Samsung Honda team for a great season.
Havier Beltran – Team
Manager
It was a fantastic end to 2013 for Samsung Honda and Alex. The whole team and everyone involved worked so hard and I can’t emphasise enough the effort that has gone into this season. Our partners and everyone involved have done a superb job and that has put us where we are today. Alex was so confident and I had little doubt that he would be able to do this here at Brands Hatch and it was a fabulous end to a great season of BSB.
It was a fantastic end to 2013 for Samsung Honda and Alex. The whole team and everyone involved worked so hard and I can’t emphasise enough the effort that has gone into this season. Our partners and everyone involved have done a superb job and that has put us where we are today. Alex was so confident and I had little doubt that he would be able to do this here at Brands Hatch and it was a fabulous end to a great season of BSB.
2013 British Superbike
Championship final standings:
1) Alex Lowes (HON) 643
2) Shane Byrne 636
3) Josh Brookes 621
4) James Ellison 589
5) James Westmoreland 564
6) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON) 522
2) Shane Byrne 636
3) Josh Brookes 621
4) James Ellison 589
5) James Westmoreland 564
6) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON) 522
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