Reigning Ducati Cup champion Joe Collier snatched the lead in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 series with a close-cut double victory in today’s 100-mile race.

The EHA Racing Aprilia rider held off Keith Farmer in part one of the lengthy scrap and Josh Elliot in part two, while both Farmer and Buildbase Suzuki’s Billy McConnell crashed out, allowing Collier to climb from third to first in the championship.

Farmer, who had entered the round with a 12-point advantage at the top of the standings, dropped down the order from second on the grid in the first 17-lap affair as Tom Neave grabbed the holeshot for Stevowaki Suzuki, leading McConnell and series returnee Taylor Mackenzie into Paddock Hill bend.

Neave led the opening three laps, but was hit with bike issues and had to sit up heading into Druids, handing the lead to McConnell.

But the Aussie’s advantage was short lived after he lost the front at Westfield and immediately gave Batham’s BMW man Mackenzie P1.

While the former title holder led the order, Tyco BMW’s Farmer was closing the distance quickly and was showing Mackenzie a wheel as they crossed the line at half-distance.

Farmer slipped underneath him at Druids on lap nine before EHA Racing Aprilia’s Joe Collier nudged Mackenzie back a further place at Surtees.

But Collier wasn’t done yet, and within seconds he took the top spot away from Farmer before Farmer hit back at Paddock Hill to get back into the lead.

Former Supersport Evo champ Collier had his revenge just a few corners later, however, as the two front-men continued to jostle for position.

But heading into Clearways, Collier made a decisive move and held off Farmer at the line by just 0.084s, while Neave battled through his mechanical problems to take third after Mackenzie ran wide and dumped his BMW at Sheene curve, pitching his tentative rostrum in the bin.

When the second part of the race got underway after the mandatory service period, Neave got another strong start, but Farmer closed the door at Paddock Hill and led the pack while 2015 series champ Josh Elliot slotted into third on his OMG Racing Suzuki.

Within seconds, Neave levered Farmer aside and stretched a small advantage, but Farmer wasn’t letting him get away and he held onto second for the first half of the race.

But more misfortune struck the Northern Irishman when he ran wide at Westfield and dropped his bike, throwing away any hope of maintaining his championship lead.

Collier soon closed the distance and made a move on Neave with just two laps remaining, but Neave struck back as the two diced in the closing minutes.

And while he led briefly on the final lap, a maiden win wasn’t to be for Neave as he dropped his Suzuki heading into Clark Curve while running in Collier’s wheel-tracks, ending his hopes of repeating his podium performance from Knockhill.

Collier bagged another win and the series lead by seven points over Farmer, while Elliott took second ahead of ASTRO - JJR Racing rider Alex Olsen.

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