Tommy Bridewell came away with a pair of battling top ten places at round three of the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship whereby mixed weather conditions prevailed at Croft.

The 22-year-old from Etchilhampton near Devizes in Wiltshire was in action on the Tyco Honda and spent most of free practice setting up the bike for the demanding North Yorkshire track before qualifying in 18th place during Saturday's knockout session.

With dark clouds looming and drizzle falling for the opening race today, Bridewell took a safe gamble and opted for a wet front tyre and intermediate rear whereby he gamely battled to 10th position at the chequered flag, which he backed up with a great ride into a similar position in the much drier race two, after battling with the leading pack for much of the 20-lap race.


Tommy Bridewell:

"We needed a good couple of finishes this weekend and the top ten was my aim at least so I'm pleased I've achieved that. In race one, the conditions were so difficult as it kept raining and then stopping I was just pleased to bring the bike home and in race two, once I found my rhythm, I felt confident running with the pack and was unlucky not to perhaps finish a place or two higher. I'm really looking forward to my home race at Thruxton in two weeks time, as I missed it last year through injury, and I think the Tyco Honda will be strong round there too."


MCE British Superbike Championship race 1 (18 laps)

1 Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) 26m 41.827s
2 John Hopkins (Suzuki) +2.940s
3 Gary Mason (Kawasaki) +3.715s
4 Loris Baz (Yamaha) +13.335s
5 Alex Lowes (Honda) +14.699s
6 Stuart Easton (Kawasaki) +19.433s
7 Peter Hickman (Honda) +22.455s
8 Josh Brookes (Suzuki) +24.297s
9 Glen Richards (Honda) +26.063s
10 Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Honda) +27.747s


MCE British Superbike Championship race 2 (20 laps)

1 Shane Byrne (Honda) 27m 46.928s
2 Stuart Easton (Kawasaki) +1.887s
3 John Hopkins (Suzuki) +2.269s
4 Josh Brookes (Suzuki) +2.461s
5 Loris Baz (Yamaha) +5.517s
6 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +6.094s
7 Gary Mason (Kawasaki) +6.748s
8 Michael Rutter (Ducati) +8.120s
9 Peter Hickman (Honda) +8.397s
10 Tommy Bridewell (Tyco Honda) +9.657s


Championship points (after 3 rounds)

1 Byrne 95 points
2 Hopkins 92
3 Easton 89
4 Kiyonari 59
5 Hill 57
6 Kirkham 54
7 Baz 51
8 Mason 44
9 Rutter 42
10 Hickman 37
14 Bridewell 28


2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Calendar

R1 Brands Hatch 22-25 April
R2 Oulton Park 30 April - 02 May
R3 Croft 13-15 May
R4 Thruxton 28-30 May
R5 Knockhill 17-19 June
R6 Snetterton 300 01-03 July
R7 Oulton Park 15-17 July
R8 Brands Hatch GP 05-07 August
R9 Cadwell Park 27-29 August
R10 Donington 09-11 September
R11 Silverstone Arena GP 23-25 September
R12 Brands Hatch GP 07-09 October