Donington BSS: McConnell takes the win as Easton closes championship lead

Billy McConnell has taken victory in the Motorpoint Supersport sprint race at Donington Park, only just emerging victorious over Stuart Easton after a close fought battle played out over the second half of the race.

Easton led away from the line and was initially able to pull out a gap over the battle for second, but Smiths Triumph teammates McConnell and Glen Richards were able to close the gap by mid distance.

Easton and McConnell then proceeded to swap positions and paint, as they repeatedly made contact as they traded the lead for the duration of the race. However, McConnell was able to make a move stick with two laps to go, holding off Easton’s attacks until the chequered flag.

Fourth was another big battle, with Ben Wilson unable to capitalise on the injuries suffered by teammate and championship leader Alastair Seeley yesterday and make the break with the leaders, instead having to hold off Graeme Gowland and Richard Cooper for the spot.

Jason O’Halloran on the Samsung Honda was also initially a member of the battle for fourth before a do or die move on lap ten went wrong and ran him out onto the gravel to finish seventh, ahead of Glenn Irwin and the injured Seeley.

Seeley, who crashed heavily two weeks ago at Cadwell Park, crashed again in the wet yesterday morning, re-opening the infected wound to his elbow that he has been struggling to heal.

Easton’s second place has closed the lead in the championship down to single figures, with the Scotsman now only nine points behind Seeley.