Jason O’Halloran marked his second triumph of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship in a scintillating display during the BikeSocial Sprint Race at Thruxton. The accomplished McAMS Yamaha rider showcased his winning prowess, while promising newcomer Charlie Nesbitt secured a remarkable inaugural podium finish for the MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing team.
Commencing from the Omologato Pole Position, O’Halloran swiftly seized the lead at the forefront of the pack. However, on the fifth lap, Lee Jackson briefly surged ahead, only for the tenacious ‘O’Show’ to swiftly counterattack, reclaiming his commanding position merely a lap later.
As the race progressed, O’Halloran sustained his lead, but it wasn’t until the final stages that he managed to break free from the tightly knit group of contenders embroiled in the battle for podium honors at the Hampshire circuit.
Among the cluster vying for the coveted podium spots, a quartet of riders emerged, with the rookies deeply entrenched in the skirmish. Charlie Nesbitt and Max Cook valiantly squared off against Ryan Vickers and Lee Jackson in a fierce tussle for supremacy.
In a nail-biting climax on the ultimate lap, Vickers and Jackson engaged in a heated contest through the Chicane for one last time. Yet, their duel inadvertently paved the way for Nesbitt to exploit an opening. With a determined burst of speed, Nesbitt surged ahead, triumphantly crossing the finish line to clinch his maiden Bennetts BSB podium appearance. His achievement marked the tenth instance this season of a rider securing a top three finish and signified the MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing’s first such accomplishment this year. They narrowly fended off Vickers at the finish line, with a mere 0.111-second advantage.
Vickers, however, only narrowly clinched the third spot, maintaining a slim 0.013-second lead over Cook on the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki. Jackson rounded off the top five in a gripping and exhilarating opening race at Thruxton.
Notably, Leon Haslam displayed his mettle, maneuvering his way to a commendable sixth-place finish for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team. He successfully held off challenges from Danny Kent and Kyle Ryde, both of whom had previously been embroiled in the intense skirmish for a spot on the podium astride the second LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha.
In the mix, Glenn Irwin emerged as the leading Ducati contender, securing a respectable ninth place, followed closely by Peter Hickman, who rounded up the top ten. However, the outing marked a subpar performance for championship leader Tommy Bridewell, who concluded the race in 14th position. Despite this setback, Bridewell maintains his advantage in the championship standings as anticipation builds for the forthcoming duo of races scheduled for tomorrow.
Image Credit : MSVR Press Release
