Defending champ Rob Guiver and series newcomer Josh Day share a win between them in the opening Ducati Cup round at Silverstone

Race 1

The Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup roared back into action at Silverstone on Saturday afternoon with 31 riders on the grid. As the lights went out defending champion Rob Guiver (Premier Security / Ducati Romford Racing) made the most of his front row position to get the jump on pole-sitter Josh Wainwright (BPS Racing). He went on to lead for the entire race, setting a new lap record of 77.126s around the National circuit on his way to victory.
 

Ducati Cup newcomer Josh Day (HOST.IT.co.uk Racing Team) also started on the front row and made a pass on Wainwright to keep Guiver honest for the race duration and finished 2nd, with Wainwright claiming the final podium position.

Phil Atkinson (JWF Motorsport / Dijon Flooring) took 4th and David Shoubridge (Old Garage Legends) 5th, just 0.166s ahead of Sam Middlemas (Boast Plumbing / Salus Approved Inspectors).

But series frontrunner Sean Neary (SMC Racing) had an unfortunate start to his season after crashing out unhurt at Becketts.

Race 2

Josh Day managed to get the better of Rob Guiver to claim his maiden Ducati Cup win in Race 2 at Silverstone on Sunday.

Guiver and Day once again led the pack from their front row starts as Race 2 got underway around the Silverstone National circuit. Their rapid pace saw the two riders soon gapping the field, with backmarkers starting to come into play at less than 2/3 race distance.

With nothing to split the pair, Day was able to pass Guiver at the start of the final lap, going on to take the chequered flag and his first Ducati Cup win. Guiver claimed 2nd, with Sean Neary putting yesterday’s crash behind him to take 3rd.

Josh Wainwright, Phil Atkinson and Sam Middlemas completed the Top 6. 

Rob Guiver (Premier Security / Ducati Romford Racing #1) – Race 1, 1st / Race 2, 2nd
"It was amazing to win the first race. I've come here to enjoy it this year, rather than pile a load of pressure on me trying to win the championship.

To go out and enjoy it. A good clean race… It was a good race for me. I enjoyed it. Done fast times. Well pleased. Race 2 was a bit of a long race for me, I led for most of it. Josh mugged me at the end really. I messed up a bit in qualifying with my tyres, we'd have run with a different front, but I had to run with the same one. But I've never had a good start to a season like this. It's going to be a long year with Josh I think, we'll have some good battles, and if Sean Neary can get in the mix it'll be good."

Josh Day (HOST.IT.co.uk Racing Team #2) – Race 1, 2nd / Race 2, 1st
"To be up there straight away, I'm really happy with that. Silverstone's not one of my best tracks. I just got away with Rob if I'm honest. What a legend he is, the pace he was setting. I'm over the moon. The HOST.IT.co.uk Racing Ducati was faultless. Can't thank those guys and Andrew enough. In Race 2 I knew where I was quicker than Rob. Into that turn 1, it's probably the fastest turn on the side of the tyre. And I was the only one at the from I think that put a new front and rear tyre on, I didn't use any new tyres yesterday. I knew where I was stronger than him, I knew it was going to be the first turn and then we caught the back markers and I thought 'this is it'. It was brilliant to battling up there with him to be honest. Learnt a bit more today. Looking forward to tracks like Oulton and Cadwell now, some of the places I really like. The Ducati Cup championship is very underestimated. All the lads and all the organisers and everything is brilliant. A bit of hanging around, but it makes us want it even more doesn't it. Brilliant." 

Josh Wainwright (BPS Racing #26) – Race 1, 3rd / Race 2, 4th
"Happy to put it on pole, especially with the limited track time on the bike. We only rode it the first time two weeks ago, never seen the bike before. The BPS Team have put a strong bike together for me to ride. The package just felt right, straight away, it felt like my bike already. Got a good start for the race from pole, just thought if I could stay with Rob and Josh through the race then I'd be progressing on, get away from 4th place then I'm guaranteed a podium. Especially in Round 1, it just brings a lot of the confidence. To come home with 3rd, I'm really happy with that."

Sean Neary (SMC Racing #10) – Race 1, DNF / Race 2, 3rd
"To be honest I'm absolutely made up with 3rd. The guys in the team just wanted a finish and they've worked so hard. We've had gearbox problems, so they changed the engine last night. They worked through the night so it's good to reward them with a podium. You know it's a long season. Well done to Josh and Rob, they were absolutely on it and I didn't have the pace for them. We'll keep grafting and we'll be back. So, thanks to everyone."

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