Silverstone BSB: Lowes takes storming race one win

Alex Lowes has taken yet another race victory in the MCE British Superbike Championship, in a race that adds yet another to the best race of the year shortlist.

An injured Shane Byrne led off the line, but Lowes was able to make a move across to lead early on. He controlled the race from then on, setting a pace that only Byrne was able to match. The two quickly distanced the rest of the field, but despite a late push Lowes was never bale to extend the gap beyond half a second.

Byrne was in a position to make a move come the last two laps, and the pair swapped the lead repeatedly. However, Byrne was forced to slow just enough to allow Lowes through, as the back end of his bike slid while Lowes was alongside, forcing him to back off slightly.

The new championship leader was then able to retain the lead to the line, taking his eighth win of the year.

Tommy Bridewell was third after a race long battle with Tyco Suzuki rider PJ Jacobsen, finally taking the advantage from the American rookie with only a few laps remaining. Jacobsen’s teammate Josh Brookes was forced to retire from the battle while in third with an engine fault, all but ending the Australian’s championship hopes.

The second Milwaukee Yamaha of James Ellison was fifth, recovering from a disastrous crash in practice that left him 18th on the grid.

The fast lap needed from Byrne to catch Lowes in the closing stages leaves him on pole for race two, with Lowes and Bridewell completing the front row. Ellison will graduate from 18th to 6th.