The Milwaukee Yamaha team have secured their position in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown for the third consecutive season as James Ellison scored a third place in the opening race at Donington Park.

In the opening race Ellison was pushing hard in the leading pack as he put in a determined performance to move up the order and was running third and despite trying to make a move on Shane Byrne ahead of him and maintained his position to claim the podium credit. In the second race Ellison was pushing to claim another haul of podium credits but as he made a bid to move ahead at the Esses on the tenth lap he ran on and then had to make up the places again, working his way through to sixth. Josh Waters scored a pair of twelfth places.

Ellison said:

“It is job done now to get our position in the Showdown which was the main thing but I still wanted a podium. It was a really hot pace and we managed to gap some of the other riders; none of the guys were making any mistakes so we were all looking to try and make a move but as usual there were areas where someone was stronger than someone else. I saw Shakey have a few looks at Alex and I thought he might have a go, I thought maybe he might and push them both wide, but it didn’t happen and we had a third but I was happy with that. Race two was looking good until we had that moment, but we showed our pace and we will be ready for the Showdown.”

Waters said:

“We had two hard races and in both of them I had a bad couple of opening laps and that really cost me in both races. I enjoyed Donington Park though and I feel we made some more improvements so I am looking forward to the next round at Assen.”

Team co-ordinator Mick Shanley concluded:

“It was really positive for the Milwaukee Yamaha team to secure the position in the Showdown and overall we had a positive day despite the race two result. James had a great podium in the first race and again showed what he was capable of, it was just a shame he couldn’t get on the podium in the second race when he ran on at the Esses. Josh is continuing to try hard but there is obviously still work to do. The whole team are now going to prepare for the Showdown and we look forward to Assen.”


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