Gearlink
Kawasaki had a solid start to the 2015 Motorpoint British Supersport season at
round one at Donington Park this Easter weekend. Irishman Glenn Irwin secured a
third and fourth respectively, his team-mate Ben Wilson had a tough start back
to his Supersport assault with a pair of sixth places.
Glenn Irwin
was struck down with flu on Thursday prior to the race and was suffering with
his energy levels over the weekend. He qualified the Gearlink Kawasaki on the
second row in fourth place. He was riding well in the first race but then it was
red flagged due to an incident at the Esses. On the restart, Glenn once again
gained the hole-shot and was leading for four of the six lap dash. He ended up
dropped back to third as the chequered flag came out.
In race two
Glenn started from fifth place on the grid and held that position for the
opening five laps of the 18-lap race. He then passed his team-mate Ben Wilson to
move through to fourth, despite a challenge on Kyle Ryde for third he was unable
to make it stick and had to settle for fourth place but sits in third place in
the Championship standings.
Ben Wilson
had to adapt to riding a Supersport machine again after a season in British
Superbikes last year. Ben and the Gearlink team worked hard all weekend to get
his bike set up the way he likes it. He qualified in ninth place, in the race he
got an awesome start and was fourth after lap one and soon through to third. The
race was red flagged and Ben restarted from third place, he got another great
start and pushed through to second but by lap four he had pushed too hard and he
really struggled to find grip, he finished the race in sixth.
In the
second race Ben got another amazing start and was up to second place after the
first lap, despite his best efforts and pushing hard Ben was passed by several
riders and he dropped back to sixth, leaving Donington he is sitting in sixth
place in the series as they head to Brands Hatch in a few weeks time.
Motorpoint
British Supersport
Glenn
Irwin - "It was a tough weekend this weekend, no matter what we tried on the
bike it just didn't seem to work how it should. I really did work hard to try
and get the points that I did but I have every faith in the Gearlink Kawasaki
team to turn things around and get us back near the front again. It was tough
for sure but I know we'll get there, it's a long season. Thanks again to all my
sponsors for helping me this year."
Ben
Wilson - "It was a really frustrating weekend this weekend as I was still
riding the bike like a Superbike and rolling out the corners as opposed to
getting on the gas. The Gearlink team has always worked really hard to help me
settle back in quickly but we haven't had much testing time so it was always
going to be a bit tough here. I'm really pleased to be back in Supersport and
hopefully I can be back at the sharp end at Brands Hatch."
Team
Manager Michael de Bidaph - "It was a mixed weekend for us in the Supersport
class at Donington and we have not performed how we would have liked to. We
bought new bikes over the winter and they just do not have enough miles on them
yet to get everything bedded in nicely. We were hoping things would be better
but we know we have a lot of work to do before Brands but know it is possible to
sort the issues out.
We knew this
year would be another tough year in this class and we have to be up to speed as
soon as possible with both Ben and Glenn. We will work hard to ensure we can
give them the best possible kit for the remaining rounds and always know that
the Triumphs will be strong. I know both riders are capable of podiums and we
would like to be there or thereabouts at the next races.
Joe Burns
and the Gearlink Kawasaki team have amicably parted company after Donington
Park. The team is now looking for a Superbike rider."
2015 BSB
Calendar
|
|
|
|
17th
- 19th - April
|
Brands Hatch
Indy
|
2nd
- 4th May
|
Oulton
Park
|
19th
- 21st June
|
Snetterton
300
|
3rd
- 5th July
|
Knockhill
|
17th
- 19th July
|
Brands Hatch
GP
|
31st
July - 2nd August
|
Thruxton
|
21st
- 23rd August
|
Cadwell
Park
|
4th
- 6th September
|
Oulton
Park
|
18th
- 20th September
|
TT Circuit
Assen
|
2nd
- 4th October
|
Silverstone
GP
|
16th
- 18th October
|
Brands Hatch
GP
|
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