Iddon retains championship lead following seventh podium finish

Christian Iddon holds a one point lead over Jason O’Halloran following the first of three BSB races at Thruxton this weekend. 

The early season battle between both has led to four championship changes - most recently at Brands Hatch, while the pair finishing 1-2 during race one sees them separated by the smallest gap of the season to date. 

The outright performance hasn’t come as easily for Iddon this weekend, whereas O’Halloran has been the clear pace setter in dry conditions. 

Pace that was duly shown throughout the 14 lap race as the Australian was unchallenged, and instead built a lead of over two seconds by the time red flags intervened, following Glenn Irwin’s fast crash one lap from the end. 

For Iddon though, it was an impressive effort as he managed to conserve the rear tyre better than most, which had been an issue for the Ducati man in previous seasons at Thruxton.

Iddon said: "Thruxton’s different to any other circuit we go to, and it’s been a bit of a bogey track for me in the past so it’s nice to finish on the podium this time around. 

"I was really surprised at the pace we were doing and managing the tyre was the challenge, but I stayed patient and managed the race as best I could. 

"I was a bit nervous ahead of the weekend, but we’ve stuck to our plan and didn’t panic when the riders ahead of me made a bit of a break. 

"Jason’s pace was too much but the others came back to me and whilst it’s always sad to finish a race on a red flag, it’s another good podium."