Mackenzie becomes sixth different BSB winner in seven races

BSB Silverstone - Race Results (1)

Tarran Mackenzie became the sixth different race winner from seven races with a fighting victory in the weekend’s first British Superbike Championship encounter at Silverstone.

Held around the short configuration of the Northamptonshire circuit, Mackenzie clawed himself back into contention from only 12th position on the grid to deny charging rookie Kyle Ryde in a thrilling battle to the line. 

As if to emphasise the openness of this year’s title battle, Mackenzie joins Glenn Irwin, Andrew Irwin, Tommy Bridewell, Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon in tasting the winners’ champagne so far this year.

With a grid mixed up by an early halt to proceedings in qualifying when track contamination caused several bikes to fall - and led to Alex Olsen being hospitalised with abdominal injuries - Danny Buchan started from pole position.

However, after leading through the first turns he was quickly usurped by Andrew Irwin, while his brother Glenn on the sister Honda quickly got onto his tail too.

With Glenn assuming the lead on lap five, the pair initially established a lead over the chasing pack only to find themselves reeled in as the race reached the half-way point.

Andrew Irwin’s victory challenge faltered on lap 14 when he ran wide at Coppice to drop back, before Glenn Irwin was overhauled by Mackenzie on lap 16 of 25 for the lead.

From here the Scot pushed on and developed a plus-one second lead as the chequered flag neared, but found himself reeled in during the closing stages by an inspired Ryde who was on his tail as they entered the final revolution. 

In the end Mackenzie held on to record only his second career BSB win on the McAMS Yamaha, ahead of Ryde, who notched up a maiden podium result in only his seventh BSB race aboard the Buildbase Suzuki.

Jason O’Halloran made it to McAMS Yamahas on the podium in third place, ahead of Irwin, who nonetheless extends his championship lead to 30 points with fourth.

Andrew Irwin recovered to fifth position, heading off an unusually out of sorts Josh Brookes on the VisionTrack Ducati, while Lee Jackson flew the flag for Kawasaki in seventh.

Christian Iddon and Danny Buchan held off a charging Tommy Bridewell - who started last - to complete the top ten in eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.