Ducati TriOptions Cup blasts off at Brands Hatch
Hobbs gets off to perfect title defence
Record Ducati grid lines up to race
Returning champions fight it out at the front
The Ducati TriOptions Cup blasted into action at Brands Hatch this weekend (17-19 April) as the first two races of the year thrilled the Kent crowds.
As the UK’s premier one-make bike racing series the grid of Ducati 899 Panigales always draws plenty of attention over a British Superbike Championship weekend, and with a record 36-bike entry the action this year is set to be more exciting than ever.
Local rider and race winner at Brands Hatch in 2014 Rob Guiver was the man setting the pace early on in the weekend. He flew out of the blocks in free practice to set the fastest time before securing pole position for Hyside Motorcycles by a tiny margin of 0.083s from the P&H/Carl Cox Motorsport machine of reigning champion Dennis Hobbs.
Guiver held his pole advantage in race one to cross the line first, however in post race scrutineering a technical infringement was discovered on his #13 bike, and he was therefore disqualified from the result, handing the maiden victory of the year to Hobbs who was closely followed across the line by seasoned Ducati Cup racer Marty Nutt and 2011 champion Leon Morris.
Hobbs backed up his race one performance and made it a perfect start to his title defence with another win in race two. He secured victory by just 0.141s from a charging Rob Guiver who started eighth, while Nutt made it two podiums with third place on the #77 Ducati.
Sean Neary continues his progress in the Ducati TriOptions Cup with a brace of fourth place finishes, while 2013 champion Robbie Brown returns to the series this season riding for Boast Plumbing. He scored two top ten results in his first outing on the 899.
The prestigious series returns to action at Oulton Park on 2-4 May.
Click to Download
Hobbs, Nutt and Guiver led the way at Brands Hatch
1200 x 800 - 1.02 MB
Click to Download
Rob Guiver set the early pace this weekend
1200 x 800 - 0.92 MB
Click to Download