Samsung Honda secure Superbike Championship Showdown position with Alex Lowes

Samsung Hondas Alex Lowes has secured his position in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown following a double podium finish at the Oulton Park triple-header this weekend, while teammate Ryuichi Kiyonari and Supersport rider Jason OHalloran also shared podium success.In the opening race of the weekend, pole-sitter Lowes claimed a hard fought third place after a race-long battle with James Ellison and Shane Byrne. Kiyonari had an equally tough battle on his hands after qualifying seventeenth, but a determined race saw him carve his way up the order to finish sixth.Race two saw Lowes pushing for the podium once again, closely pursued by team-mate Kiyonari. On the final lap however, Lowes lost the front of his bike on the exit of Lodge and crashed out of third place, handing the podium to Kiyonari, who claimed his fourth podium finish of the season.In the final race of the day, Lowes was fired up to make amends. He kept his cool despite a safety car period and claimed another third place, securing his position in the Showdown. Kiyonari had been in the leading pack until a move by Tommy Bridewell caused him to run on at Hizzys chicane, dropping him to the back of the pack. After a string of consistent laps and overtakes, he moved back up to tenth in the closing stages.In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Jason O'Halloran celebrated his best weekend of the season. After securing a fourth place in the Sprint race, he then went on to better his performance in the Feature race with a hard-fought third place to claim his first podium finish of the season for Samsung Honda.Havier BeltranTeam Manager There were mixed fortunes for our BSB riders. I am pleased with the progress that Alex and Kiyo are making but theyre just not taking the victories as there are still a few issues to resolve. Both riders worked hard this week but we had to compromise on settings and that can be frustrating, we need to resolve that. Podium credits are what Alex needs now as thats crucial and will play a big part in coming rounds. Its still close with the others in the Showdown positions so Kiyo needs to maintain his progress. It was a mega race in Supersport for Jason, he said he would get the holeshot and he did, he rode incredibly well and was so committed. It was great to see him at the sharp end and Im very happy for him.Alex Lowes Its been a hard weekend, probably the hardest of the yearwe have stood still since we raced here back in May and the rest have got a bit better and Im not as competitive as I want to be. Ive given everything in these races and really do not have a lot to show for it. Even so Ive qualified for the Showdown and I enjoyed that last race and hope that it is a sign of things to come when we get into the actual Showdown.Ryuichi Kiyonari I was very happy with my podium finish but a little disappointed with my pace. I made a reasonable start in the last race but Tommy Bridewell made a move on me at the chicane that was a little bit tight and I didnt want to crash, so I ran on. I didnt want to incur a penalty so I waited to rejoin and then did a lot of passing to comeback into tenth place.Jason OHalloran This is a combination of relief and delight. We are starting to find the pace and get a better setting. Im much more comfortable on the bike and stuck to the pace in the race. Seeley and McConnell rode well and I didnt want to miss out on the podium so I pushed all the way. It was a great race and I am just relieved to be up at the front. Now for Cadwell, a circuit I like and where we have a test tomorrow (Monday) so we'll come out fighting.BSB Race One: 1) James Ellison, 2) Shane Byrne, 3) Alex Lowes (HON), 4) Josh Brookes, 5) Tommy Bridewell, 6) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON), 7) PJ Jacobsen, 8) Jon Kirkham, 9) Chris Walker, 10) Dan LinfootBSB Race Two: 1) Shane Byrne, 2) Josh Brookes, 3) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON), 4) Tommy Bridewell, 5) Jon Kirkham, 6) PJ Jacobsen, 7) Dan Linfoot, 8) Keith Farmer, 9) James Westmoreland, 10) Howie Mainwaring, DNF) Alex Lowes (HON)BSB Race Three: 1) Josh Brookes, 2) Shane Byrne, 3) Alex Lowes (HON), 4) James Ellison, 5) Tommy Bridewell, 6) James Westmoreland, 7) Keith Farmer, 8) Howie Mainwaring, 9) Jon Kirkham, 10) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON)BSS Race One: 1) Stuart Easton, 2) Alastair Seeley, 3) Ben Wilson, 4) Jason OHalloran (HON), 5) Glen Richards, 6) Graeme Gowland, 7) Richard Cooper, 8) Scott Smart, 9) Deane Brown, 10) Taylor MackenzieBSS Race Two: 1) Alastair Seeley, 2) Billy McConnell, 3) Jason OHalloran (HON), 4) Stuart Easton, 5) Glen Richards, 6) Graeme Gowland, 7) Richard Cooper, 8) Taylor Mackenzie, 9) Scott Smart, 10) Glenn Irwin

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