BSB: Championship standings ahead of Showdown Decider

The battle for the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship is set to heat up at Silverstone this weekend with three races set to decide the six riders who’ll fight it out to win the crown in the final three rounds. 

After this weekend, the top six in the series standings are elevated to 500 points and separated just by points accumulated according to the amount of podium finishes they’ve achieved this year. 

With no riders safe, nine riders can mathematically make it into the top six this weekend and it’s only James Ellison in ninth place who could be classes as an outsider in the battle. Both Jake Dixon and Christian Iddon, who are seventh and eighth respectively, are just a handful of points away from Luke Mossey in sixth who returns from injury this weekend. 

Here’s how it lies ahead of the weekend… 

Shane Byrne – Be Wiser Ducati – 219 points 

Wins: 5 
Podiums: 9
Best finish: 1st 

He’s already won five titles, but he’s never won back-to-back titles. Determined to change that this year, Byrne has been pushing hard. However, it’s not all been plain sailing. The Be Wiser Ducati team have struggled with the Panigale R at certain circuits this year, so Byrne could have a fight on his hands towards the end of the season. 

Read what Byrne has to say ahead of Silverstone here.

Leon Haslam – JG Speedfit Kawasaki – 209 points 

Wins: 4
Podiums: 8
Best finish: 1st

One of the most successful British Superbike riders never to win a title, Haslam looks in good shape to right that this year. He’s still second in the championship despite some fairly big crashes this year, some of which weren’t his fault. However, he’s struggled to find a feeling he’s happy with on the ZX-10RR so Silverstone will be a crucial final test before the Showdown. 

Read what Haslam has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

Peter Hickman – Smiths BMW – 193 points 

Wins: 1
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 1st

The revelation of recent rounds, Hickman shot into BSB title contention with a second and first at Thruxton followed up by a further podium at Cadwell. 2017 has been a consistent year for Hickman has he continued to build with the Smiths BMW team, a strong season on the roads only boosted his confidence and now he’s riding the crest of a wave. 

Read what Hickman has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

Jason O’Halloran – Honda Racing – 178 points 

Wins: 0
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 3rd 

It’s been a tough season for Jason O’Halloran and the Honda Racing team as they’ve struggled to bring the all-new Fireblade to a competitive level, but the Australian’s consistency has paid off and left him fourth in the championship standings, but it could be argued he’d enjoyed a stronger season by this point last year. 

Read what O’Halloran has to say here. 

Josh Brookes – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha – 167 points 

Wins: 1
Podiums: 4
Best finish: 1st 

Brookes has impressed this year after joining a team that had only scored three points last season. The 2015 champion and Anvil Hire team really made a step forward mid-season, taking two seconds at Snetterton before going on to fight for victory at Brands Hatch before clinching his first win since 2015 at Thruxton. However, a number of front end crashes have harmed his championship position, something he’ll have to iron out if he’s to fight for the title in the final three rounds. 

Read what Brookes has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

Luke Mossey – JG Speedfit Kawasaki – 161 points 

Wins: 2
Podiums: 5
Best finish: 1st 

Early championship leader, Luke Mossey looked set to fight to the wire this year until breaking his back in four places in a free practice crash at Thruxton. This weekend at Silverstone marks his return to competition for the first time since the crash after missing the Cadwell round as well as the two Thruxton races. He’s still in the top six, but only just, and will need to pull out three good results if he’s to stay here. However, given the severity of the injury he’s had, he’s not piling the pressure on. 

Read what Mossey has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

Jake Dixon – RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki – 156 points 

Wins: 2
Podiums: 5
Best finish: 1st 

Dixon shot out of nowhere to win his first ever race at Knockhill before sealing it with another to make a dream double. While he’s been quick since, his early season form and a crash from the lead at Cadwell Park leaves him outside the top six. Given recent performances, Dixon would have to be the favourite to steal a Showdown spot and some could even say a dark horse for the title. 

Read what Dixon has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

Christian Iddon – Tyco BMW – 153 points 

Wins: 0
Podiums: 4
Best finish: 2nd 

It’s been an up and down season for Iddon, but early consistency has helped his championship challenge as missing four races mid-season due to injury hasn’t helped his cause. Silverstone was a good round for him last year, so there’s a chance he could make it into the top six this weekend but given how he and the Tyco BMW team have struggled to find an ideal set-up at some circuits, he could struggle in the final three rounds. 

Read what Iddon has to say ahead of Silverstone here. 

James Ellison – McAMS Yamaha – 119 points 

Wins: 1
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 1st 

It’s been a tough season for Ellison with a lot of DNFs, many of which weren’t his fault. While he’s failed to score a lot, he has been quick at most rounds, especially early on. The McAMS Yamaha team’s hard work paid off at Cadwell as the Cumbrian clinched his long-awaited first win of the year. However, 42-points off the top six, it’s a tall order for him to make it into the top six, but as he quite rightly says – ‘I’ve nothing to lose’. 

Read what Ellison has to say ahead of the Showdown here.

Podium Points 

For those in the top six, the riders’ championship standing will be dictated solely by podium credits after this weekend. Throughout the first nine rounds, these points are accumulated by, yep, you guessed it! Finishing on the podium. Five points are awarded for a win, three for a second and one for third. Those in italics currently aren’t in the top six. 

Rider	Podium Points
Shane Byrne	31
Leon Haslam	26
Luke Mossey	17
Jake Dixon	17
Josh Brookes	14
James Ellison	11
Peter Hickman	9
Christian Iddon	6
Jason O’Halloran	3

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