BSB: Championship standings ahead of Brands finale

The time has come. The 2017 MCE British Superbike Champion will be crowned at Brands Hatch this weekend, but who will it be? 

Mathematically, there are five contenders remaining. Leon Haslam, Josh Brookes, Shane Byrne, Jake Dixon and Peter Hickman. However, barring disaster for at least two of the leading trio, Dixon and Hickman are almost out of the running. 

That leaves the championship fight down to three, Haslam, Brookes and Byrne. After two Showdown victories, as well as a second and a third, Haslam leads the way by 32 points over Brookes with Byrne a further point back, but this is BSB, and anything can happen. 

Here’s how it lies ahead of the weekend… 

1) Leon Haslam – JG Speedfit Kawasaki – 612 points 

Wins: 6
Podiums: 12
Best finish: 1st

Having taken control of the championship standings at Oulton Park, Haslam further maintained his lead at the top of the standings with a victory and third place last time out at Assen. Can he clinch his first ever British title at Brands this weekend? 

2) Josh Brookes – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha – 580 points 

Wins: 2
Podiums: 8
Best finish: 1st 

Brookes failed to capitalise on his pace at Assen, but took a vital second place in the second race to remain in the title fight. Having already come this far with a team that scored three points last year, the Aussie has already proven himself in 2017 but he’ll be keen to taste glory if he senses the opportunity. 

3) Shane Byrne – Be Wiser Ducati – 579 points 

Wins: 5
Podiums: 11
Best finish: 1st 

Byrne was quick in Assen but failed to do what he needed to – beat Leon Haslam. He knows taking his sixth title is now a long shot, but his record at Brands speaks for itself. If Haslam slips up, he’ll be there to mop up the mess. 

4) Jake Dixon – RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki – 558 points

Wins: 2
Podiums: 6
Best finish: 1st 

A tough weekend at Assen has almost ruled Dixon out of the title fight, but the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki man is always up for a fight. If things go well for him this weekend he’ll be there or thereabouts, and will be ready and waiting if things go wrong for the leading trio. 

5) Peter Hickman – Smiths BMW – 549 points

Wins: 1
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 1st

Hickman’s title chances are slim, but the Smiths BMW rider is still on course for his best ever BSB finish. 

6) Jason O’Halloran – Honda Racing – 526 points 

Wins: 0
Podiums: 3
Best finish: 3rd 

Mathematically out of contention, O’Halloran’s sole task now will be to secure the best possible championship position to end the year on a high for Honda Racing. 

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