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Tommy Hill regains his championship lead with three podium finishes Consistent podium finishes in all three races at Snetterton this weekend (July 16 – 18) put Tommy Hill and his Worx Crescent Suzuki back on top of the British Superbike championship.
In the re-scheduled race from Knockhill Tommy, sponsored by Adaptaflex, took up third place early on with an excellent passing move going into Riches and despite attention from Alastair Seeley managed to hold on to the flag.
The team had worked tirelessly with the bike to improve the set-up for the Snetterton round and the perseverance certainly paid off with two more podium finishes only this time both second slots for Tommy to take valuable points over his rivals.
On an action-packed Sunday, Tommy briefly lead the first race before Michael Rutter took over going into Sear and after a succession of moves in the first half of the race Tommy found himself out of the podium positions. Determined to succeed he pushed on regaining third and then saw the opportunity to move into second with just two laps to go holding his position to cross the finishing line.
Explained Tommy Hill, “We were running less electronic aids on the bike this weekend and maybe it affected my early race pace, but it seemed to work to my advantage in the second half of each race. The bike had a consistent feel that allowed me to confidently push hard during the closing stages.”
That proved to be the case in the last race of the day in what was a hard fought contest. In the lower leader board positions at midway Tommy again found the power in the latter stages moving into third position.
With just two laps remaining he repeated a successful overtaking manoeuvre on Michael Laverty for second place pushing on to challenge race leader Ryuichi Kiyonari, but could not force his way past in the final stages. The result gave Tommy back the lead in the Championship by a slender two points over Josh Brookes who had to retire on lap 12 with a technical problem.
“We've had a very consistent run this weekend and I can't deny it's been very satisfying to get back on the podium in all the races and to take the Championship lead back,” added Tommy. “A little bit of luck fell into our hands with Brookes going out in the last race, but it helps to be in the right place at the right time when these things happen. No question, I'm really looking forward to the Brands Hatch GP round now.”
Commenting on the weekend Worx Crescent Suzuki Team Manager Jack Valentine said, “It's been a very good weekend for us. I think the results have really boosted Tommy's confidence and this will help as we head to the Brands Hatch GP round. The bike has always been good but it's the very last little details that are making all the difference. We've now got a very good basis on which to build for the coming races.”
In the two National Superstock 600 Championship races Tommy's brother Jimmy Hill, also sponsored by Adaptaflex, finished in 5th and 8th positions respectively on his MAP Group Triumph.
The next round of the British Superbike Championship is at Brand Hatch GP circuit on August 6-8, an all-important three race event which comes at a crucial time in the season.
-Ends-
19 July 2010
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