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."
