Let the Silverstone 2016 Races Begin
Consistent Competition for Shakey
Byrne, the ‘Be Wiser Ducati’ rider, wasn’t in need of more wisdom as he picked up the pace from his ninth position in the warm-up two weeks ago to place second consistently over the two Silverstone races this weekend. Byrne finished without wins yet his name still stands proudly at the top of the 2016 Championship table, setting him up for a repeat of his 2014 championship win if he’s starting as he means to go on.
Shakey reflected on the ride with BSB, “There were a few areas on the track like everybody where I felt quite a bit stronger and there were a couple of areas where I didn’t feel quite as strong but fair play to Michael. To sit at the front and control a BSB race is not easy and he did a great job of managing it. I pushed on a bit in the last couple of laps and made some small mistakes which ultimately cost myself the chance of a lunge at him but it is the first race of the year and lunges in the first race aren’t too necessary so we will continue onwards and upwards.”
How about the winning riders?
Laverty and Hickman picked up the weekend’s titles, though scraping past the five time champion Shakey wasn’t wobble free. The opener was eventful, exciting and full of passion for the season ahead.
After a sharp win at the pre-season test the crowd weren’t unexpectedly jumping for joy, though they were jumping for joy, as Laverty graced the highest spot of the podium. O’Halloran experienced a lead until Haslam was on the attack. Sneaking through to the front for a short lap until Laverty looped on ahead. Hickman’s chances on this lap were slim with technical problems forcing him out of the racing action – something he made up for in round two.
Laverty held his position and gracefully fled across the line, fending off Shakey, Mossey and Iddon.
Lap seven, in the second of the two races, Laverty slipped back from the lead into third place, trailing Shakey and Hickman. His win was anything but the beginning of a streak, the number of riders in front of him increased until he crossed the finish line, in sixth.
The Wellington Straight of Silverstone’s track kept the fight for the top spot alive as Shakey and Hickman raced down together. Though Shakey had a smidge of an opportunity to fight forward Hickman was too hungry for the win. When it came to the drag line Shakey drifted sideways allowing a mere 0.999 seconds of a difference between himself and the race champion. Hickman’s determination is mirrored in his words “There was no way that I was doing all that work and not winning though. I just pinned it and pretty much closed my eyes and it was enough to take it.”
Any dark horse race winners of the Silverstone day?
Iddon took his first podium steps, ever, at Silverstone as the former Supermoto champion celebrated a third place finish. “I am so happy to have got my first BSB podium though today. I was fourth on the last lap and then I got by Mossey at turn one then nearly spat myself straight off and I just thought third would do and be a good start to the year.”
The action shots on this page are provided by BSB
