Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison celebrated a hard-fought podium in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race at Oulton Park today but was denied the chance to challenge for a repeat performance after an electrical problem forced him to retire in race two.

In race one Ellison carved his way through the pack and towards the end of the race was able to make a decisive move on Josh Brookes to claim second place and a front row start for race two. However in the second race whilst Ellison was challenging for the win he was forced out of contention with an electrical problem. Josh Waters scored a thirteenth place in race one but some improvements between races saw a stronger performance in race two as he was in the battle for seventh before ending the race in tenth place.


Ellison said:

“It felt mega to be on the podium in race one because we knew it wouldn’t be easy from tenth on the grid after what happened in qualifying yesterday. I just got my head down and tried to find my way through, but Tommy Bridewell has really upped his game and he was hard to pass but I eventually got by him. I could then see Josh and I could see he was having a few issues; I made mistakes too towards the end but we still made the podium and that was the aim. It could have been two podiums but it wasn’t to be and we couldn’t capitalise on Shakey’s DNF. It was just unfortunate but we can now have a few weeks off and come back ready for Knockhill.”

Waters said:

"The second race was better for me as I was in the top ten and that is where I want and need to be. I had lost a bit of confidence after the crash at Thruxton but now feel that I am getting more used to it. Obviously the Milwaukee Yamaha is good, James has proved that so now I just need to keep working at it. I knew that learning the circuits would be tough when I came over so I won't be using that as an excuse, now I am getting a good feeling and can go forwards. I plan to watch and support the team in their road races and then get back to it at Knockhill."

Team owner Shaun Muir concluded:

“What can I say about this weekend; James had a brilliant performance in race one after what had been a tough qualifying session yesterday but a second place was a very good result. I was really sorry that a electrical fault cost him the chance to try and make it a repeat performance in race two, which I have no doubt he would have been there to challenge for at the end of the race. Josh came back strong in race two and he was battling in the group for seventh so he can head into the break before Knockhill feeling really positive.”

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