BSB Oulton Race 1: Ellison draws first blood

James Ellison drew first blood at the triple header MCE British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park as he swept to the first race win on Saturday afternoon. The race, which was restarted after Keith Farmer’s bike dropped coolant onto the circuit, saw the Milwaukee Yamaha ace grab the lead at the start of the second lap and although he was under intense pressure throughout, he was able to keep everyone else at bay for his second win of the season.
 
It was Alex Lowes who led the field on the first lap but he slipped back from second to fourth at one thirds race distance and so it was Shane Byrne that took the challenge to Ellison. However, whilst the reigning champion was able to sit right in Ellison’s wheel tracks, he was unable to get close enough to make a pass and he’ll have to wait at least one more day for his 50th BSB win.
 
Lowes regrouped to fight his way back up to third relegating a somewhat lacklustre Josh Brookes back to fourth who had his hands full keeping a flying Tommy Bridewell behind him, the Wiltshire rider completing a fairytale debut ride for the Halsall Racing Kawasaki team in fifth.
 
Ryuichi Kiyonari put his qualifying woes behind him to take a good sixth – and will start Sunday’s opening race from the front row – whilst PJ Jacobsen, who started from the back of the grid, fought his way through the pack to take a strong seventh. Jon Kirkham, Chris Walker and Dan Linfoot completed the top ten.
 
Result (15 laps)
1 James Ellison (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
3 Alex Lowes (Honda)
4 Josh Brookes (Suzuki)
5 Tommy Bridewell (Kawasaki)
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda)
7 PJ Jacobsen (Suzuki)
8 Jon Kirkham (BMW)
9 Chris Walker (Kawasaki)
10 Dan Linfoot (Honda)