Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon is the new MCE British Superbike championship leader after making it on to the podium not once, but twice at Oulton Park with two second places finishes.
He has a points tally of 72 and as a 14 point advantage over Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne in the overall standings. Iddon also racked up the podium credits, and is feeling happy with how he rode the S1000RR in mixed conditions at his home track.
Iddon narrowly missed out on his debut win in the class, and it was only on the final corner on the last lap in race-two that he was overtaken by Cooper and missed out on the victory by 0.1 seconds.
It appeared déjà vu for the Stockport rider as in the first race he missed out on another possible win by 0.1 seconds but this time he lost out to JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam.
“So close not just in the second race but in the first race too as that could have easily been a win too. I am happy to keep knocking in the results and could have easily made that last corner and probably ended up on my ear,” said Iddon, speaking to bikesportnews.com at the track.
“I nearly spat myself out at Hizzy’s trying to get a gap. I managed to hold on to it so that was me just trying to gap Coop before, as I knew he was strong on the brakes and that plan didn’t work or the plan into the last corner. I tried everything I could, but I enjoyed it.
“What was surprising was the tyre choices. I thought Coop was on the same tyre choices as I was on. I was on inter front and rear and he was on a slick rear and what was amazing was how quick he was going at the start of the race, and I was then surprised at myself for being able to hang on to him when it was dry.”
Iddon was happy that he had two solid results, and in the changing track conditions he was careful not to do anything that would mean he ended up in the gravel.
Iddon added: “I was careful to manage the tyre and having to stand it up and I was running a lot harder on the front end again and trying to roll through the corners thinking, save the tyre , save the tyre and when we got to Parc Ferme and he had the slick on I couldn’t believe it.
“I am happy, today was one of those days where you could have gone home with no points and we are going home with 40 and the championship lead so happy days.”
