MOTORSPORT VISION:

Leon Camier comfortably won the opening race of the ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Cadwell Park to tighten his grip in the title stakes. He crossed the line first next time out only to be denied victory for a flag infringement, with the race awarded to his Airwaves Yamaha team-mate James Ellison.

The problem for Camier began on the penultimate lap of the second race at the Lincolnshire circuit. He had opened up a lead of some six seconds, but race officials became concerned that his bike was emitting smoke. This was closely monitored and swiftly black and orange flags were displayed around the Lincolnshire circuit requiring Camier to pull off immediately.

Instead, Camier continued, taking the chequered flag, only to be told that he had been excluded from the victory for breaking the rules, something that his team manager Colin Wright accepted: “The rules are clear, the black and orange flag was shown for his and the other riders’ safety – he should have stopped. It is unfortunate but to be fair everyone is doing everything to stick to the rules but it is a real shame for Leon.”

The victory was awarded to Ellison, his third of the season, as he led the Hydrex Honda of Stuart Easton home by some four seconds with the determined Simon Andrews of the Confused.com Kawasaki taking third place from his team-mate Julien da Costa.

John Laverty took fifth for Buildbase Kawasaki ahead of Chris Walker on the Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha with Sylvain Guintoli seventh on the Worx Crescent Suzuki, ahead of Karl Harris, Gary Mason, who was completing a Mirror.co.uk Cup daily double as he finished ahead of fellow Cup rider Tommy Bridewell.

Earlier, Camier, starting from his seventh pole had overcome the fast starting Easton to take the lead on third lap, and then powered to his 15th victory of a dominant campaign.

“It is all going to plan, the bike is working so well,” said Camier after that winning ride.“Now we have to keep it all going, keep focussed and make sure that the championship is done.

“On a personal note it was so good to come back and win, finally putting to rest memories of the bad crash I had here two years ago,” added Camier who crossed the line some seven seconds ahead of the Scot with Ellison third from Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki. Andrews snatched fifth on the final lap from da Costa.

Karl Muggeridge took seventh for HM Plant Honda ahead of Guintoli, Laverty and the hard riding Quay Garage rider Gary Mason. Bridewell again took second in the Cup stakes.

By the end of the day, Camier left the circuit with a sizeable 399.5-302 points advantage over Ellison with three rounds and seven races remaining, the next of which are at Croft over the weekend of 11/12/13 September.

Results – round nine

Race one – 18 laps
1 L Camier Airwaves Yamaha 26m 38.546
2 S Easton Hydrex Honda 26m 45.930
3 J Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 26m 46.197
4 I Lowry Relentless Suzuki 26m 46.679
5 S Andrews Confused.com Kawasaki 26m 56.339
6 J da Costa Confused.com Kawasaki 26m 56.672
7 K Muggeridge HM Plant Honda 27m 03.944
8 S Guintoli Worx Crescent Suzuki 27m 04.068
9 J Laverty Buildbase Kawasaki 27m 04.525
10 G Mason Quay Garage Honda 27m 07.306

Race two – 18 laps
1 J Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 28m 02.679
2 S Easton Hydrex Honda 28m 06.778
3 S Andrews Confused.com Kawasaki 28m 07.263
4 J da Costa Confused.com Kawasaki 28m 08.114
5 J Laverty Buildbase Kawasaki 28m 09.522
6 C Walker Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 28m 15.515
7 S Guintoli Worx Crescent Suzuki 28m 15.918
8 K Harris Hydrex Honda 28m 17.512
9 G Mason Quay Garage Honda 28m17.779
10 T Bridewell Team NB Suzuki 28m 19.363

Championship standings
1 L Camier 399.5
2 J Ellison 302
3 S Easton 258
4 K Harris 120.5
5 S Andrews 119.5