Ryan Vickers was unstoppable in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at Brands Hatch as the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider delivered an inch-perfect performance, whilst behind the battle for the final podium positions was a four-way fight.
Bridewell on the Hager PBM Ducati rider took an emotional second place on the anniversary of losing his brother Ollie, meanwhile Andrew Irwin was also able to pass Glenn Irwin with five laps to go.
Bridewell and Andrew Irwin made it a double podium celebration for Honda Racing UK as they continue their resurgence after a tough season last year, relegating Glenn Irwin to fourth ahead of Iddon.
The drama began early in race two on the opening lap when Glenn Irwin, Danny Kent and Danny Buchan crashed out heavily at Paddock Hill Bend, with the trio able to line up again in the final race of the weekend.
At the front, it had become a battle for the podium places between Vickers, reigning champion Tommy Bridewell, Christian Iddon and Andrew Irwin before the red flag when Luke Hedger crashed out at Hawthorns.
Vickers wasn’t taking any prisoners in the five-lap dash to the chequered flag after a lightning start, whilst behind him Bridewell, Kyle Ryde and Andrew Irwin diced for the final podium spots.
Ryan Vickers was crowned the Monster Energy King of Brands after an incredible treble win for OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing as he celebrated a career first with victory in race three.
Meanwhile there was another intense dice for the remaining podium places, with Iddon able to attack and then fight off Ryde for second, as he became the fifth different rider to celebrate podium success this weekend.
Bridewell’s strong points haul puts him now at the top of the standings by 19 points ahead of Thruxton next month, whilst Glenn Irwin gave a gritty performance to finish seventh in race three, bouncing back from his crash to make up 16 positions from 23rd on the grid. The Hager PBM Ducati rider holds second in the overall standings despite his race two DNF.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
1.Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 217
2.Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 198
3.Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 193
4.Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 185
5.Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 148
6.Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 146
7.Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) 128
8.Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 122
9.Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 105
10.Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) 98
