Honda Racing's Jason O'Halloran is firmly in Showdown contention after a one hundred percent podium success record at the MCE British Superbike round at Snetterton this afternoon.
The Fireblade rider ended both races in third and held off charges from the likes of JG Speedfit Kawasaki's Leon Haslam, RAF Reserves Kawasaki's Jake Dixon and Moto Rapido Ducati's John Hopkins to nab the final rostrum spot.
Last year the Aussie won the first race, and this year looked like a shoe-in for a possible victory. In qualifying he set a strong 1'47.106 and that for a time placed him on provisional pole, until McAMS Yamaha's James Ellison and Be Wiser Ducati's Shane Byrne came along and went faster.
"First double podium of the year and I had to push for that podium. Josh and Shakey had a lot more and we are making some in-roads," said O'Halloran, speaking at the track.
O'Halloran was another rider concerned about tyre life, but for him his Pirelli tyre choices turned out well. He was able to maintain a steady, solid pace throughout the 16 lappers and stuck to his decisions of racing on the harder front, and softer rear, and the choices certainly paid off today.
Speaking after race one O'Halloran explained: "I am really pleased with the race. It was a tough race out there and I think nearly everyone at the start of the race was concerned about the tyre life but the race turned out really well. The start was not great and I worked my way through and I got myself through to a really good position in third.
"I nearly hit James Ellison when his bike stopped and ran off the track and I got a load of dirt on the tyre and I nearly crashed in the next two corners because of the dirt on the tyres and I lost the tow to Josh and Shakey.
"It took me a couple of laps to find my rhythm. I got back into the rhythm and I knew I didn't have a big gap behind me so I had to keep control all the way until the end.
"Coming into the last lap I think it was plus zero on the board to Haslam. So I had to work for it and I am really pleased we are back here on the position."
