Rea, Haslam and Sunderland shortlisted for prestigious award

Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam and Sam Sunderland have been shortlisted for the 2017 Torrens Trophy, a prestigious accolade awarded each year by the Royal Automobile Club.

Last year the trophy went to Cal Crutchlow after he became the first British rider to win a premier class World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix in 35 years.

This year’s contenders were announced on stage at Motorcycle Live this weekend, with the winner set to be revealed at the Pall Mall clubhouse in the new year.

Having made history in 2017 by not only taking a third consecutive World Superbike crown, but also winning the championship with the most points ever achived by a rider in a single season, Jonathan Rea sits a strong favourite to clinch the award, which is decided by a specially appointed committee.

However, Sam Sunderland could pip him to it having become the first Brit in history to win the gruelling and prestigious Dakar Rally earlier this year.

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Having missed out on the 2017 British Superbike title, Leon Haslam is an outside bet but was nominated by the club for the sportsmanship shown at the final round of the 2017 season when he came onto the grid to congratulate rival Shane Byrne despite having broken his ankle, wrist and dislocated his thumb in a 170mph horror smash.

The Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee consists of Chairman and ex-bike racer Barrie Baxter, Royal Automobile Club member Ben Cussons, well-respected motorcycle journalist Mat Oxley, former racer and commentator Steve Parrish, Club member Richard Bourne (son of motorcycle journalist, Arthur Bourne, whom the Trophy is awarded in memory of) and new to the committee for 2017, Maria Costello MBE, the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course. 

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