Tommy Hill scored his second race win of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in the opening race at Snetterton as Michael Laverty claimed his first podium finish of the season for Samsung Honda.

On the opening lap Samsung Honda's Laverty hit the front from pole-sitter Josh Brookes and the Swan Yamahas of Tommy Hill and Noriyuki Haga. Jon Kirkham had his race ended prematurely with a crash at Agostini on the opening lap, with Alastair Seeley taking evasive action to drop him down the order dramatically.

Laverty held the lead over the opening laps despite coming under pressure from Brookes and Hill but for the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki it was a disastrous first race as both Stuart Easton and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne were forced to retire with technical problems despite moving up the order at the start.

On the sixth lap Laverty came under fire from Brookes as Hill managed to catapult ahead of them both on the brakes into Brundle but at Nelson the Australian and defending champion drifted wide as Laverty regained the lead.

A lap later and Hill moved to second with a move on Brookes on the inside into Agostini and then hit the front at Brundle after diving ahead of Laverty to take the lead for Swan Yamaha. Brookes then moved to second a lap later into Riches but then ran wide at Montreal giving Laverty the chance to take second again.

Hill edged ahead but the battle for second was intense as Brookes made a move again on Laverty into Riches on the tenth lap. Laverty hadn't given up and a lap later he forced ahead into Brundle and the pair were side by side into Coram with the Samsung Honda rider holding the advantage.

Hill said:

"There were six different winners from the first six races so to be the first one to win two is a good feeling. The new rules without the traction control means you have to ride harder but at the same time you don't want to push too hard but you know the other guys will be pushing hard too. I knew it would be tough, especially towards the end of the race. When Josh came passed me I was worried that there might be a pack waiting to do the same. I had a little issue with water coming up in my face during the race but we got through it and I am happy for everyone in the Swan Yamaha team."

In the battle for fourth Haga snatched the position from Alex Lowes across the line on the final lap with Tommy Bridewell scoring another top six finish for Supersonic BMW. Chris Walker was seventh ahead of Ian Lowry who came under pressure from Patric Muff whilst Barry Burrell completed the top ten.


MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race one result:

Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha)
Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +1.234s
Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +6.847s
Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) +10.304s
Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +10.333s
Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +16.360s
Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +20.503s
Ian Lowry (Padgetts Honda) +20.524s
Patric Muff (Supersonic BMW) +20.692s
Barry Burrell (Buildbase BMW) +21.674s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Standings after Snetteron race one:

Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 123
Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 108
Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 88
Ian Lowry (Padgetts Honda) 60
Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 56
Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) 56

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