STK: Buchan returns to winning ways

Danny Buchan returned to winning ways as he made his return to the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 class at Donington Park this weekend with victory in both legs of the new ‘100-mile’ format.

In a new initiative introduced for 2017, Superstock 1000 riders will face three different race formats across the year including a number of 100 mile, two leg races with the first of which taking place at the opening round. The other two formats are 50-mile single leg outings and then a standard distance race. 

Stepping back from the Superbike class, Buchan was out to make his mark on the series he won in 2014. After heavy rainfall in the morning, the track was drying for the opening leg of the Superstock action meaning tyre choice was a gamble.   

Opting for dry tyres, it seemed Buchan had made the right choice as he began to pull a lead at the front until the rain came down again. Having been declared a wet race, riders had no choice but to stay out, but it quickly cleared up allowing the riders on dries to progress back through. Feeling more confident lap by lap, Buchan managed to pull a whopping 25 seconds on his rivals to take the first leg win before going on to take victory in in the overall race with another win in the dry second leg. 

TOP STORIES

• Superbike shootout: The tale of the tape
• Protect your GSX-R1000
• CCM plan new Spitfire Scrambler
• Ride review: Renntec Moovamoto
• Gallery: Supersized KTM Adventure bikes

It could have been a hat-trick for the 24-year-old had Bennetts Suzuki’s Richard Cooper not pipped him to the line in Sunday’s shorter race, but his opening race wins place him two points ahead of his rival in the championship standings.

“Obviously, it would have been nice to have won all three races and taken a hat-trick but Donington’s my bogey circuit so I’m chuffed to bits to come away with two firsts and a second,” he said.

“It’s never easy leading from the front and I just ran ever so wide at the Melbourne Loop which allowed Coops to edge by. The new Kawasaki is working mega so it’s great to have started the season so strongly so I’ll keep building and hopefully we’ll be there at the end of the season.”

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.