Cadwell BSB: McConnell takes Supersport win

Billy McConnell ensured the race for the British Supersport Championship title showed no signs of slowing down when he took the victory at Cadwell Park on Monday to reduce series leader Steve Plater’s lead to just two points.

The MAP/Raceways Yamaha rider had been in superb form all weekend, in almost identical fashion to that of Yamaha counterpart Leon Camier in the Superbike class, and romped home for his third win of the year.

The Australian rider took the lead at Coppice on the fifth lap from initial leader James Westmoreland and soon opened up a lead in advance of three seconds, his cause being aided slightly by considerable carnage on the opening two laps.

Knockhill winner Ben Wilson was an early casualty when his chain came off after a huge moment over the Mountain and then Lee Johnston, who was in fourth, suddenly slowed exiting the chicane.

The first few riders managed to avoid him but the unsighted Daniel Cooper couldn’t and the pair crashed out at the bottom of the Mountain.

All this was happening behind McConnell though and he just concentrated on extending his lead.

Westmoreland looked good in second despite coming under extreme pressure from Plater but on the 12th lap, he took a long look over his shoulder on the exit of Charlie’s and the wily Plater needed no second invitation, drafting by along the Park Straight.

The move saw him up to second and with clear track ahead of him he left Westmoreland behind to limit his losses to the charging McConnell.

Further back, Allan Jon Venter had his best ride of the year on the second MAP/Raceways Yamaha, charging through the pack to take fourth with Dan Linfoot taking fifth to go some way to make up for his crash at Brands Hatch.

Meanwhile, local rider Sam Lowes rode brilliantly into sixth to extend his lead at the top of the Privateer’s Cup even further.

TT and Ulster GP hero Ian Hutchinson had been battling with this trio until he slowly slipped back and he eventually took eighth behind Jack Kennedy although he did manage to hold off the close attentions of Marty Nutt.

Tom Grant, having a one off outing on the Hydrex Honda usually ridden by Guy Martin on the roads, completed the top ten.

Result
1 Billy McConnell (MAP/Raceways Yamaha)
2 Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda) +2.044s
3 James Westmoreland (JW Racing Triumph) +5.575s
4 Allan Jon Venter (MAP/Raceways Yamaha) +9.365s
5 Dan Linfoot (Node 4 Yamaha) +11.042s
6 Sam Lowes (Co-Ordit Yamaha) +11.996s
7 Jack Kennedy (Appleyard/Macadam Yamaha) +13.757s
8 Ian Hutchinson (Padgetts Honda) +16.003s
9 Marty Nuttr (Nutt Travel/T&G Yamaha) +16.514s
10 Tom Grant (Hydrex Honda) +17.448s