The Gearlink Kawasaki team had a strong weekend in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Donington Park. Glenn Irwin had a great weekend with a superb win in the sprint race on Saturday, plus a solid fifth in the main feature race on Sunday. His team-mate Luke Hedger had a mixed weekend with a brilliant fifth place in race one and crashed out of sixth place on Sunday.
Glenn looked strong all weekend and he managed to qualify in fourth place for the opening Motorpoint Supersport sprint race on Saturday. Only a ten lap race it was important for the young Irishman to get a good start and he was through to second after lap one. He was riding fantastically well and was on lap record pace. On lap eight the rain flags were waved at certain parts of the circuit, and Glenn took advantage of this passing Luke Mossey on the penultimate lap for the lead and went on to take a fantastic win for the Gearlink Kawasaki team.
He was placed on the front row for race two in third place, he got a great hole-shot, a huge incident on the start line forced the safety car to come out for a few laps and Glenn was passed by Luke Mossey on lap three, pushing Glenn to second. He fought hard for the rest of the race and was lying in second until lap nine when the Smiths Triumph pairing of Billy McConnell and Graeme Gowland came past. A mistake on the final lap saw Glenn lose another place and he ended up in fifth place, he is now lying in fourth in the Championship standings.
Luke Hedger was also showing fine form at Donington Park and the current Superstock 600 Champion secured his equal best result of the year in the sprint race where he finished in fifth. He was putting up a strong battle for the entire race with Supersport Championship leader Billy McConnell. In the second race he was sixth on the grid and held his position but crashed heavily into the first turn, thankfully walking away uninjured.
Glenn Irwin - "The first race for me was perfect and so pleased to take another win for the Gearlink Kawasaki team, even before the spots of rain appeared on my visor our times were under the lap record place and the World Supersport pace so I'm really pleased that I was able to catch Luke (Mossey) and pass him for the win. I got a good start in race two but I was a little cautious after the safety car came back in to how cold my tyres might have got. After my crash in warm up this morning I guess I was a little nervous over pushing, I have bridged the gap to third place in the Championship and can't wait to get to Assen now. Just a huge thank you to the Gearlink Kawasaki team and everyone who have supported me this season, if anyone wishes to support me please look at my account on SoFund.co.uk."
Luke Hedger - "I was really happy with the result I got during the sprint on Saturday, the weekend was a really good confidence builder. It was great mixing it with the top riders this weekend and felt really good to be up at the sharp end. I felt good in all the sessions; I was disappointed to crash but can't wait for Assen. Thanks again to the Gearlink team and 1st Choice Flooring."
Gearlink Kawasaki had a disappointing weekend in the MCE British Superbike class with Ben Wilson, he had to retire from race one with a technical problem and finished in 19th in the second race.
Ben Wilson - "This year has been so frustrating for us and I don't know if it is bad luck or what it's just so disheartening. Everyone is working so hard and I just wish we were able to get the results to prove the effort and hard work that has gone in but sadly it's just not happening."
Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "There is not much I can say about the Superbike, we are working so hard and will continue to do so until we get some good results.
In Supersport both riders were brilliant all weekend, proud of Glenn to take his first race win in the dry. Also Luke battling with Championship leader Billy McConnell was fantastic, he has come on massively this season and both riders were fantastic in race one.
The second race was a little disappointing as Glenn's confidence was a little knocked after his crash in warm-up this morning, he rode well and got some consistent points for his Championship. Luke was fighting hard also and he is still very much learning his limits and sadly crashed out. We are looking forward to taking the Gearlink Kawasaki team to Assen in a couple of weeks."
