Gearlink Kawasaki News

24 June 2015

A win and podium at Snetterton

The team experienced the highs and lows of racing in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at the Snetterton 300 circuit. Glenn Irwin came from pit lane in race one to score a fantastic fifth place and then gained his first win of the season in race two. Ben Wilson was plagued with technical issues throughout the weekend and crashed out in both races. Luke Hedger riding the satellite Gearlink Kawasaki bike was sixth in race one and secured his first ever podium with third in race two.

Glenn Irwin pushed hard all weekend and was fourth in the qualifying session for race one. Unfortunately after a brief rain shower Glenn got caught out on the sighting lap and ended up crashing and having to start the race from pit lane. He rode an incredible race and quickly moved up to 14th place after just one lap. He continued to move through the field to achieve a great fifth place. 

For race two he started fifth on the grid and got a good start, sitting in third place for most of the race. However, on the last lap the two leading riders had a coming together handing Glenn the win.

Ben Wilson had a weekend to forget. His bike had technical issues throughout practice and the team were unable to fix them for qualifying forcing Ben to start race one from the back of the grid. He got his usual good start but got caught up with the first lap melee and crashed out. For race two he again started from the back of the grid but managed to fight his way through to eighth place before crashing out.

Luke Hedger was running the Gearlink Kawasaki colours but as a satellite team, he had a very strong and consistent weekend. He qualified in sixth place for race one and finished in that position. For race two he started from sixth place again and worked his way up to fifth and after the incident with the front runners he picked up his first Supersport podium with a third place.

In the MCE British Superbike Championship the team took on Victor Cox to ride the Kawasaki ZX-10R after Michael Rutter sat out the weekend after racing at the TT.

Victor made improvements all weekend lowering his times in each session. He was riding well in the first race moving up to 22nd place when on the final lap on the last corner he was taken off track by a fellow rider. In race two he started form 29th place to finish in a solid 22nd place.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "It was a really tough weekend for us up to race two in the Supersport class. We were marred with small problems all weekend with both Ben and Glenn, Glenn missed a practice session and Ben missed all of qualifying.

Glenn rode an exceptional race in race one to finish fifth and Luke rode a strong race to finish in sixth place.

We made some big changes for race two on both bikes and it was certainly a step in the right direction for us. We know we were lucky to get the win but we will take it as it is something we really needed as a team for a confidence boost and it was just reward for Glenns hard work. Luke rode another fantastic race and we are really pleased he was able to secure his first podium. Poor Ben was riding so well and he was unfortunate to crash out.

Victor chipped away all weekend and began to find a good balance for race day. It is difficult for a new rider to make progress instantly as everyone has a different riding style."

Category: Racing News
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posted by The Team at 17:52

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