Be Wiser Ducati’s Scott Redding edged closer to the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike title at Donington Park this lunchtime, taking the race-one win from Tommy Bridewell with Josh Brookes in third place.
Redding took the lead from Brookes on lap three and didn’t look back, setting the fastest lap of the race with two left and increased his points gap over Brookes to almost a full race win with four left to run.
In what turned out to be something of a procession, Brookes got the holeshot with Redding second and Christian Iddon in third place with Bradley Ray, Peter Hickman and Bridewell all in the mix.
Brookes looked like he had the pace to pull a gap but a fast move by Redding, which also allowed Iddon and Bridwell past, quickly put paid to the Australian's challenge with Brookes saying he needs to look at the Panigale's behaviour on a full fuel tank.
The the field held station until there were only three left and fortunes began to unravel for Iddon. His left footpeg fell off at Foggy's, which allowed Brookes back into third at Goddards, while spots of rain slowed Redding and allowed Bridewell to pull back 1.3s in one lap.
However, Redding was wise to it and pushed the hammer back down to complete the 25-pointer.
Hickman was able to challenge Brookes early doors but his pace fell off a little while Honda's Andrew Irwin charged through for fifth, taking advantage of Iddon's misfortune.
Xavi Fores took seventh with Ryan Vickers coming through for eighth in front of Luke Mossey. Showdown contenders Danny Buchan and Tarran Mackenzie took tenth and 12th with Jason O'Halloran, on the second McAMS Yamaha, in the sandwich.
Luke Stapleford, Joe Francis and Claudio Corti completed the top 15.
Taylor Mackenzie didn't take part after a big crash in the earlier Superstock 1000 race.
