Christian Iddon and his Oxford racing Moto Rapido Ducati squad battled the changeable British weather to climb to third in the British Superbike title hunt at Snetterton.
The British Superbike Championship arrived at the Norfolk based Snetterton circuit for round 5 of the Championship but the weekend was greeted with inclement and changeable weather that played it’s part throughout the weekend.
The initial practices went well and the time-sheets looked positive but the ‘on bike’ feeling wasn’t quite reflecting that pace and it left Iddon and the team with some searching to do for a better feeling with the bike.
Saturday rolled in and along with it came the rain. Christian was instantly fast but crashed in FP3, just 30 minutes before qualifying which left the team with a huge amount of work to do.
They set to work and got the bike rebuilt back to perfection before Iddon rushed back on track for qualifying where he was to place 9th on the grid for the first race.
The track was now drying at a rapid pace but it was still very wet as the pitlane opened for the first race of the weekend but Iddon was nowhere to be seen. Iddon and his team had missed the pit exit cut off time and would have to start from the very back of the grid.
With a sub optimal tyre choice and a last place grid slot it was never going to be an easy task but another riders misfortune played in Iddons favour as a red flag meant there would be a 5 lap dash to decide the final places.
Now from 21st on the grid, Iddon battled forward in treacherous conditions to a superb 6th at the flag and a great result for both himself and the team after a challenging day.
Sunday brought brighter skies but the second race was again rain affected. Another short sprint saw Iddon move up from his 7th place grid slot to 3rd at the flag to take his 6th podium of the season.
As the lights went out for the final race of the weekend, Iddon powered his Oxford Racing Ducati to the front of the field and was clearly feeling good on his bike. It was a thrilling 6 way scrap all the way to the flag with Iddon taking yet another podium in 3rd and moving into 3rd in the title chase.
After the weekend Iddon commented;
“Honestly this weekend we have had everything thrown at us but at the end of it all we have reduced the gap to the head of the championship and moved up to 3rd in the title table so it’s all positive”
“Saturday as crazy and we salvaged a great position and then to come away with a pair of podiums on Sunday was fantastic.”
“I feel a little disappointed not to have won the final race as the team made a really positive change to the bike and I felt genuinely good on the bike but this is a tough championship and we took home strong points none the less so we have to be content with our efforts.”
“Brands Hatch is up next and the way we have the bike working at the moment should suit the circuit layout so I am excited to get to the next round already!”
The next round of the championship is at Brands Hatch on the 19th-21st July
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