Double podium for Christian Iddon at Donington
Christian Iddon scored his best result of the season to date at Donington Park this weekend, with a double podium that included a second-place finish in Race 3.
Race 1
Christian Iddon started his first of three British Superbike races at Donington Park this weekend from the middle of Row 4 in eleventh. The Saturday BikeSocial Sprint Race didn’t initially go to plan for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider and by the third lap he’d dropped down to thirteenth in tricky conditions.
By half race distance Iddon was up to eighth but after running off the circuit on Lap 6 Iddon re-joined the track down in 20th, finishing his race in 16th.
Race 2
The first of Sunday’s two races saw Christian set off from sixth and he was into fifth by the Old Hairpin.
With half of the 20-lap race covered Christian was in the leading train of riders, still sitting in fifth. But on lap 12 BeerMonster Ducati riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin collided and crashed out at the Melbourne Loop.
This promoted Christian to third and despite pressure from Lee Jackson (Kawasaki) in the final quarter, he held on to the position and claimed a podium finish after the race was red flagged on Lap 17 due to worsening conditions.
Race 3
Sunday’s final Superbike race saw Christian line up on the grid in eighth. On the opening lap he gained multiple positions, aided by Irwin’s technical retirement, and a move into the Melbourne Loop on Josh Brookes (BMW).
Ryan Vickers (Yamaha) crashed out from second on the second lap before Christian got past Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) at Goddards to move up into fourth as he started his third lap.
On lap 3 Christian then passed Bridewell into the Melbourne Loop to take third behind Leon Haslam (BMW).
But drama stuck on Lap 16 when the red flag came out once more, after Haslam’s suffered a technical and dropped oil on the track.
Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha) took the win, with Christian Iddon taking second, his best result of the season to date.
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati #21)
“I haven’t run wets all weekend until that last race because every time I went out, I put inters on. I gambled, even in morning Warm Up I was the only one on inters. I sat on the grid for the last race and thought I don’t even know what these tyres are going to be like!
This new surface here is amazing, compared to the old one it’s insane. I had some difficult visibility issues mid race, but I felt like I had the pace to pass Leon. I was right behind him, kind of welded to him a little bit. I had fogging, and the rain on my visor. I dropped back a little bit to get a run on him and the minute I dropped back he bolted! I had a few moments and just needed to calm down, but it was all good.
I’m really happy to take a double podium this weekend. Big thanks to the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team and everyone that supports me.”