Shane Byrne and Tommy Hill’s chances of taking the British Superbike crown took a blow at the weekend.
American John Hopkins won both races at Donington Park to take the Championship lead going into the final few races of the season.
Hill finished third in race one, just place ahead of Byrne who challenged all the way, but it was in race two that all the drama happened.
Byrne, from Sittingbourne, crashed with Hill’s team-mate Michael Laverty on the opening lap, but managed to pick himself up and get back on board.
Hill, from Lingfield, had led until the fith lap of that race when Hopkins went past him and went on to win the race.
Hopkins double win sees him lead Hill by just three points going into the penultimate round at Silverstone with Byrne just 22 points behind Hill with the final round of the Championship to be held at Brands Hatch on 7th-9th October.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race one result:
1 John HOPKINS USA Suzuki – Samsung Crescent Racing
2 Michael LAVERTY GBR Yamaha – Swan Yamaha
3 Tommy HILL GBR Yamaha – Swan Yamaha
4 Shane BYRNE GBR Honda – HM Plant Honda
5 Jon KIRKHAM GBR Suzuki – Samsung Crescent Racing
6 Josh BROOKES AUS Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS
7 Peter HICKMAN GBR Honda – Tyco Honda
8 James ELLISON GBR Honda – Team SorryMate.com
9 Martin JESSOPP GBR Ducati – Rapid Solicitors Bathams Ducati
10 Graeme GOWLAND GBR Honda – Team WFR
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race two result:
1.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki)
2.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +1.986s
3.Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +3.315s
4.Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +5.978s
5.Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +8.324s
6.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +12.236s
7.James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +12.541s
8.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +22.445s
9.Chris Walker (Pr1mo Racing Kawasaki) +16.308s
10.Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +26.746s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Donington Park:
1.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 568
2.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 565
3.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 543
4.Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 532
5.Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 530
6.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 518