Lavilla wins season opener

The opening British Superbike championship lived up to expectation as an enthralling race saw rookie Leon Camier give the more experienced BSB riders a scare.

Local rider Camier, who originates form Kent, took an early lead but was overtaken by Airwaves Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla on lap six at Surtees.

Lavilla extended his lead to as much as 2.133 seconds but Bike Animal Honda rider Camier held on to pull back to within a second and take his first podium in the series in his first race.

There was a strong battle throughout the race for the last podium slot with Chris Walker being clawed in by Airwaves Ducati’s Leon Haslam. But as Haslam kept his eye on Walker, he failed to spot the eager Northern Irishman, Jonathan Rea creeping up to take his fourth spot on lap 15.

Haslam then slipped back behind Stobart Vent Axia’s Shane Byrne a lap later.

Rea and Shakey then set about chasing Walker, in his first race since his return form World Superbikes.

Rea eventually took third place and after several changes in position between Byrne and Walker on the last two laps, but the Rizla Suzuki man lost out.

Race One Result:

1. Gregorio Lavilla Airwaves Ducati 
2. Leon Camier Bike Animal Honda
3. Jonathan Rea HM Plant Honda
4. Shane Byrne Stobart Vent Axia 
5. Chris Walker Rizla Suzuki
6. Leon Haslam Airwaves Ducati   
7. Tom Sykes Stobart Vent Axia
8. Ryuichi Kyonari HM Plant Honda  
9. Tommy Hill Yamaha Virgin Media  
10. Michael Rutter Islion MSS Discovery Kawasaki 
11. Simon Andrews Jentin Racing   
12. Tommy Bridewell Team NB   
13. Cal Crutchlow Rizla Suzuki 
14. Karl Harris Hydrex Honda 
15. Peter Hickman Hawk Kawasaki   
16. Dean Thomas Samsung Superbike Team
17. James Haydon Virgin Yamaha   
18. Steve Plater AIM Racing   
19. Ollie Bridewell Team NB   
20. Sean Emmett PR Branson Honda Racing