BSB: Hickman impresses on Smiths BMW debut

It was a strong opening weekend to the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship for Peter Hickman at Donington Park as he made his debut with the Smiths Racing BMW team.

Quick throughout practice, Hickman started Sunday’s opening race from an impressive fourth position and after a steady start, the Lincolnshireman would go on to fight for the podium with BMW rival Christian Iddon, losing out only after a hard move at the esses in the final stages of the race.

A set-up change backfired in race two as track temperature dramatically increased, leaving Hickman down in eighth, but in all in he’s able to reflect on a positive first weekend.

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“Overall, it’s been a good weekend and a good start to the year,” said Hickman. “The bike was mega throughout all three days and we proved that in race one with a really strong fourth place. After a year on the Kawasaki, I’m still getting used to the characteristics of the BMW and we went slightly in the wrong direction in race two when we got caught out by the change in temperature. The more miles and laps we get under our belt, the stronger we’ll be and to be so strong so early in the season bodes well.”

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