Brit Burns second at Hengelo

Chris Burns stormed to second place in Sunday’s ONK Dutch Superbike Championship race at the historic Hengelo street circuit in Holland.

In his first ever road race, the Newcastle-upon-Tyne rider powered his GS Racing Honda to finish second, setting the second fastest lap ever around the countryside track.

The result comes just two weeks after the former MotoGP rider scored his first podium since joining the Dutch domestic series when he finished third at Assen.
After qualifying fourth and top of the second row, Burns got one of his trademark good starts as the lights changed in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon, holding his position as the field poured into the first corner.

“I was fourth but I missed a gear coming out of the corner and lost all my drive,” he said. “Arie Vos just went at the front on his BMW, I could see him getting a gap straight away and I think from there he had the win.

“But I was pushing it hard and got up to third and then on the second lap the bike in front ran wide and I was able to nip through into second. After that it was really just a matter of keeping my head down and trying to make up some time on Vos.”

Despite a hard charge, Burns was never able to make up the few seconds, which Vos had taken in the opening lap melee, and was left with no option but to stalk him all the way to the chequered flag.

On the way, he set the fastest lap ever around the countryside circuit, beaten only by series leader Vos, and finished some six seconds ahead of third placed Raymond Schouten’s Yamaha.

“It was a great race, the bike was just fantastic,” he said. “The jump we’ve made in the last three weeks is just incredible. It’s brilliant for me to be able to reward the team for all of their hard work with another podium.

“Last time out I qualified fifth and finished third, this time I started fourth and finished second, so of course the next thing we need to do is to get the win. I’m sure it’s coming soon, and I’ll be going all out at the next race to try and get it.”

Team Manager Gijsbert Spilt said: “I am very pleased with this result, and I know Chris is going to win this year. This was his first time ever on a street circuit so it was very good for him to get second place and he was the second fastest man ever around Hengelo. We are all very happy.”

Burns will take to the track again this weekend at yet another street circuit, Oss, where he hopes to continue his run of podium success. He currently lies fifth in the championship.