Bridewell commands race one at Oulton Park

Tyco BMW rider Tommy Bridewell has ridden to the performance of his career to take a commanding win ahead of Josh Brookes in the opening MCE British Superbike race at Oulton Park.

Leading from his second place start to the chequered flag, he looked in control on the new S1000RR for the first time this year to hold off Brookes. The Australian was able to close down the gap multiple times but was never close enough to make the move.

Third was Shane Byrne, struggling after track temperatures forced him to adopt Pirelli’s SC0 tyre. He only just held off teammate Stuart Easton on the second PBM Kawasaki for the final podium spot. Ryuichi Kiyonari, an early breaker with the front group, dropped off to finish a lonely fifth.

2015 triple race winner James Ellison was sixth, as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider continues to search for a comfortable chassis balance on the ZX-10R. He finished just ahead of Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran, with the second Tyco BMW of Michael Laverty rounding out the top eight.

Broc Parkes and Jack Kennedy were early fallers, after the Irishman took the Milwaukee Yamaha to the ground on the opening lap. Danny Buchan joined them in the gravel traps later on the same lap.