Christian Iddon wraps up a great weekend at Brands with a fourth
A third consecutive podium just eluded Christian Iddon in the final British Superbike race at Brands Hatch today. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider had started the 20-lap race on the front row of the grid in third, and although he slotted into fourth in the opening lap, he was out front and leading by lap two.
By half-race distance Iddon was 0.185s ahead of BeerMonster Ducati duo Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin to lead a Ducati 1-2-3 on track.
Bridewell moved into the lead on lap 12. And when Irwin made a move at Surtees three laps later, Iddon was forced wide with Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) taking advantage and demoting Iddon a further place to fourth.
The riders ultimately finished the race in the same positions, with Iddon just off the podium. But this weekend has been his strongest one yet this season, with a pole and front row starting positions, and two trophies to take home.
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati #21) – 4th
“We’ve had a really good weekend. From the first Free Practice I felt comfortable on the bike. I stayed out more or less, my first run was 17 laps, just because I felt alright and there was no point pulling in.
When you start a weekend off, and you get your laps in, and you can work on yourself it’s good. I wasn’t necessarily super quick, but I knew we had some pace.
Then we had a wet qualifying, and I made an error, using the hard tyre because I didn’t think it was going to rain as much as it did. I didn’t think it was a gamble but clearly it was because it was wrong. Everyone else who used the hard tyre struggled so it was definitely the wrong choice.
And then we had that first wet race. I gave myself a lot of hard work starting from eleventh. We had a chance to win that. That’s a bit unfair to say to the two guys that beat me. I didn’t beat them. The race was shortened, so you just don’t know. But equally I could have ended up on my arse! But we’ll take that first podium of the year.
And that race gave me pole. And that’s really the difference. Since Knockhill, Snetterton and here we’ve had the pace to run at the front anyway. I’ve just not been at the front to do it. Starting from pole, and from the third in the second race today, gives you that opportunity to be at, and get out at the front.
We made a change for the last race today and I felt happy enough, I wanted to lead. I made some good moves, made three or four passes and got in the lead and felt happy, wanted to be there. And then Tommy got through again and I knew that was going to be the telling point. He did two laps, not very quick, he rolled for them. I was a bit worried because I didn’t know how close of a group the riders behind were going to be, so I was almost willing him to go faster. Then he dropped the hammer and when he did, I had something for him and a feeling we could do something. My plan was I was going to do Tommy, but Glenn got me, ran me a bit deep and Ryan came through. Just ended up in a bit of a scrap, which is fine, it’s racing. I was just on the wrong end of it. I need to be the giver, not the taker, it’s much more fun!
With three of four laps to go I really lost the front at Paddock, a big old fold. I stayed on it but ran wide and lost half a second. And then I started to push in the wrong places to try and recover that time and ended up losing a bit more time. So the gap at the end was a bit bigger than it should have been. I would have liked to have stayed in that fight. I think us guys at the front had the ability to step up the pace for those last laps but I just sort of lost that group because of one mistake. That’s all it takes. But I made the mistake so it is what it is, and I need to improve.
It's funny. The first race this weekend was our best, but of our two dry ones the last one was the best, I just didn’t end up with a trophy. That’s racing. It’s not just about how good your bike is and how good you feel. It’s about making it happen and I didn’t quite make it count in the last one. But it’s still been a really positive weekend, I’ve felt good on the bike and team has worked fantastic all weekend. It’s all good!”