Disappointment for Christian Iddon after being taken out in Race 2 at Thruxton

Today’s opening race at Thruxton was one to forget for Christian Iddon after the VisionTrack Ducati rider was taken out halfway through the 20-lap race.

Iddon initially held 4th from the start, but on Lap 3 he was pushed wide as a result of a late move by Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) with both riders having to skip the chicane. Vickers subsequently had to take a long lap penalty which promoted Iddon back to third, where he was battling with Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki). But Iddon’s race was cut short on Lap 10 after Jackson clipped the back of Iddon, with both riders crashing out of the race.

At this stage Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) was now into eighth, up from 15th on the grid, while defending champion Brookes was running in 17th. With 5 laps to go Bridewell remained in eighth, leading a closely fought pack of six riders. But he was unable to keep the pace and finished his race in twelfth, with Brookes crossing the finish line on the VisionTrack Ducati in 16th.

Iddon’s race retirement sees the championship lead go to race winner Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha). Iddon, who was managing his tyres during the race, starts the final race of the weekend at Thruxton at the front of Row 4 in tenth, with Bridewell starting from 13th and Brookes from 21st.

Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati #21) - DNF
“I was tipping into Turn 3, and then I wasn’t. I was taken out. It happens, I don’t feel angry at Lee, it’s just one of them things. It’s just unfortunate. I was trying to build my race up into trying not to go fast and wreck the tyre and I was just trying to keep a constant pace. We now have a Race 3 grid position which isn’t ideal because of that strategy, a crashed bike, and I’ve lost the championship lead.”