Gearlink Kawasaki News

It was a varied weekend for the team at round six of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch. Glenn Irwin crashed out in race one due to a bike problem and struggled to eighth in the second race. Ben Wilson was looking at two finishes and was seventh and ninth. Luke Hedger had the strongest weekend finishing in sixth and seventh places.

Glenn was out to defend his championship lead and looked strong throughout practice and qualifying managing to put the bike on the front row for race one. He got a strong start and was in second place after lap one when the bike suddenly locked up and he crashed out. He was ninth on the grid for race two and by lap two had moved up to fourth but started to have a problem with the front end of the bike forcing him to nurse the bike home to eighth place. He is now in third place in the championship.

Ben who had been struggling at previous meetings was determined to have a good weekend with some solid finishes. He rode a good race in race one to finish in seventh place and in race two finished in ninth to gain some solid points for the weekend.

Luke made good progress all weekend, qualifying in ninth place for race one finally finishing in a strong sixth position. He was in fourth place on the grid for race two and managed to recover from a poor start to finish in seventh place. Despite missing the first two round of the championship he has now moved up to ninth place overall and eager to continue to climb up further for the remainder of the year.

In the MCE British Superbike Championship Michael Rutter had a tough weekend. He qualified in 22nd place but unfortunately crashed out in race one and was forced to retire in race two.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "It was a difficult weekend for the team. Glenn came here to try to defend his Championship lead and due to a bike problem crashed out for we must take the blame. In race two a problem with the front end meant the bike kept trying to tuck in on him but he managed to nurse the bike home securing some Championship points.

Ben's aim was to finish two races with some Championship points and that is what he did. The pace has certainly upped this year and he has had to adapt his riding style since he last raced in the Championship. He is working hard and is putting so much effort in that i hope the results will start to come.

Luke was our best and highest placed Gearlink Kawasaki rider all weekend setting consistent lap times and securing some strong results for the team. He has worked round any problems and raced two good races and deserved the positions he gained.

We maybe went round in circles with Michael this weekend on the Superbike and did not quite get the set-up he needed but we hope to make some improvements for the next meeting at Thruxton."