BSB: Championship standings ahead of Oulton Park

The 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship Showdown kicks off this weekend with six riders fighting for the title over the final three rounds. 

Just seven races stand between now and the crowing of the 2017 victor, but with the top four closer than ever before this year’s Showdown is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all time. 

Shane Byrne leads the standings by just six points going into the Showdown with Leon Haslam in second, but after a win and second place in tricky conditions at Silverstone Josh Brookes is just a further four points back. 

Young gun Jake Dixon sits 14 points off Byrne as he looks to become BSB’s youngest ever champion, while Peter Hickman and Jason O’Halloran will also be keen to show what they can do. 

Here’s how it lies ahead of the weekend… 

1) Shane Byrne – Be Wiser Ducati – 532 points 

Wins: 5
Podiums: 10
Best finish: 1st 

He might have had a tough year, but he’s still the only rider to have shown any form of dominance with his four-in-a-row at Snetterton and Brands. Still the favourite, but he’s got work to do and things haven’t gone as swimmingly as they expected. 

2) Leon Haslam – JG Speedfit Kawasaki – 526 points 

Wins: 4
Podiums: 8
Best finish: 1st

This is probably Haslam’s best chance yet to clinch a BSB title but having finished on the podium just three times in the last six rounds, things don’t seem to be going his way at the moment. 

3) Josh Brookes – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha – 522 points 

Wins: 2
Podiums: 6
Best finish: 1st 

At the start of the season Josh was an outside bet for the title given the unproven status of his team, but his title fighting status is now unquestionable. The only thing that might let him down is at some circuits the Anvil Hire Yamaha just hasn’t worked for the Aussie. 

4) Jake Dixon – RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki – 518 points

Wins: 2
Podiums: 6
Best finish: 1st 

A sneaky outside bet for the title. When quick, there’s no-one quicker and he’s shown quality race craft so far this year. If there’s anything that’ll catch him out it’ll be inexperience in a title fight and the same can be said for his team who enter the showdown for the first time this year. 

5) Peter Hickman – Smiths BMW – 509 points

Wins: 1
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 1st

While Hickman hasn’t been as much of a front runner as the leading quartet, he’s shown his pace on numerous occasions. He enjoyed a strong end to the year in 2016 so he’s sure to get good results, but whether he’ll trouble the title chase is yet to be seen. 

6) Jason O’Halloran – Honda Racing – 503 points 

Wins: 0
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 3rd 

You only have to look at the stats to see Jason is the least likely of the six to be crowned champion at the end of the year. It’s been a tough year for Honda but he’s made the most of it and wrestled a difficult bike into submission, but finishing much higher than fifth or sixth overall will be a big ask for the Aussie. 

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.