
BSB: Lewis Jones ignites his Championship charge at Oulton Park
Lewis Jones wins the opening race of the weekend in Junior Supersport.
Ted Wilkinson (RMB Racing) was on pole position for the first race of the weekend in the Junior Supersport class. Jacob Stephenson (Kevin Stephenson) qualified in second place, running the famous #67. Lewis Jones rounded out the front row of the grid for the final race on Saturday’s timetable.
Before the race got underway there was drama in the Junior Supersport class, with Lennon Docherty withdrawing from the weekend. The Scotsman suffered a crash in practice and fractured his knee.
Ted Wilkinson was the rider who got the holeshot and led the field through the start of the race. Lewis Jones would soon fight back with the #3 machine continuing to battle for the Championship.
Chloe Jones (Symcirrus Motorsport) had a great start to her race, fighting for the podium places at the start. Joe Ellis (JPR) climbed his way through the highly competitive field from 10th to inside the top five.
A massive 10-bike field battled at the front of the field with Keo Walker (Keo Walker Racing) at the back of it. The pack would soon be reduced to nine bikes with Finn Smart-Weeden (Wrapped Racing by Club 74) crashing out.
Lewis Jones and Wilkson continued to trade places for the lead with no one able to predict the result.
Keo Walker was the fastest rider on the circuit, setting the fastest lap of the race in eighth position. The Scotsman set a 1’52.209 in the race, impressing the grid after starting in 11th position.
It was a classic battle in the British Junior Supersport class, with positions fluctuating every single corner. The object for the riders was to stay inside the front group, for a battle on the final lap.
Lewis Jones and Ellis go head to head
On the final lap of the race, it was three wide into Island Bend with positions constantly changing. Lewis Jones jumped into the race lead with Ellis fighting back straight away and would lead into the final corner.
It was three wide on the exit of the final corner, with Lewis Jones becoming the first rider to cross the line. Ted Wilkinson finished less than one-tenth behind in second position and in front of Joe Ellis. Callum Beach (UPVC Outlet Racing) ended his race in fourth position and in front of Chloe Jones who rounded out the top five.
Maximus Hardy (Hardy Racing) was down in sixth position, finishing ahead of Jacob Stephenson. Lewis Smart (Smart Racing) rounded out the top eight in the first race of the weekend.
Image credit: britishsuperbike.com