Maximum Points for Stapleford and Triumph at Cadwell Park British Supersport
The eighth round of the British Supersport championship was a hugely successful one for the Macadam Triumph Racing team at Cadwell Park this past Bank Holiday weekend (August 24-26). Luke Stapleford set pole position and won both races to regain the championship lead. Teammate Max Wadsworth also enjoyed his best event of the year, qualifying in 6th and picking up 11th and 8th place race positions.
The weekend started with challenging conditions with both Free Practice sessions held in wet conditions. The Macadam Triumph Racing riders started cautiously, knowing that better weather was on the horizon for the rest of the event. Heading into qualifying, Stapleford would place the third fastest time with Wadsworth in 15th.
Sunday’s qualifying session was held in dry conditions and would finally allow the Macadam Triumph Racing riders to push their Street Triple 765-based race machines to the limit round the unique 2.19 mile Lincolnshire circuit. Stapleford was on blistering form and set the fastest time, a third of a second clear of his nearest rival and with the rest of the field much further back. Wadsworth had his best qualifying of the season with an impressive sixth place.
When the lights went out for Sunday’s 12-lap Sprint Race, it was Ben Currie who grabbed the holeshot with Stapleford and Jack Kennedy slotting in behind - the championship top three. Waiting for everything to get up to temperature, Stapleford made his move for the lead at the start of lap two with Kennedy following suit.
The remainder of the race was a series of fast laps as Stapleford rode flawlessly, chased hard by Kennedy and with the rest of the field unable to match the blistering pace. Stapleford increased his speed on lap 11 and Kennedy crashed out unhurt trying to follow suit, leaving the #8 Triumph rider to take the win by 8.5 seconds. Wadsworth brought the #72 machine to the chequered flag in 11th.
Monday’s 16-lap Feature Race would see Stapleford start in the middle of the front row on the grid having set the second fastest time in the Sprint Race, with Wadsworth in 11th. When the lights went out, it was again Currie who took the lead with Stapleford slotting in second. Knowing his potential, the #8 of Stapleford waited for the right moment on lap three to take the lead.
Immediately setting a hot pace, a rare mistake saw Currie crash out allowing Kennedy to move up behind the Triumph rider. But Stapleford was never troubled throughout the encounter, hitting his markers consistently to pull out a comfortable lead and taking the win by almost three seconds. Stapleford’s fifth win of the season and his fourth from the past five races puts him back into the championship lead with three rounds and six races to go.
Wadsworth’s best round of the season continued with eighth place, running as high as sixth at one point. The result moves him up to 23rd in the standings.
The 2024 British Supersport Championship returns to action at Oulton Park on September 13-15.
Luke Stapleford #8: “Coming into this round we knew it was going to be tough gaining points back to fight for the championship, but the objective was the same: win both races. The team worked really well to get the most out of the bike, and with the pace of both races it certainly needed to be. Really happy with how I rode and to come away with two wins, and the championship lead. We now go into the last few rounds with some momentum and aim to keep the wins coming. Huge thanks to the team for a mega weekend and really happy to see Max up there also going strong.”
Max Wadsworth #72: “A really strong and enjoyable weekend at Cadwell. It feels great to have improved throughout every session to be the fastest I’ve been here on the Triumph. I’m chuffed as it’s been great to repay the team and Triumph with some results after a few difficult rounds and I can’t thank them enough. I’m looking forward to being back at Oulton and props to Luke for coming out of this round leading the championship.”
Race Results: Round 8 - Cadwell Park
Sprint Race
1st Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
2nd Benjamin Currie (Ducati)
3rd Harry Truelove (Suzuki)
11th Max Wadsworth (Triumph)
Feature Race
1st Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
2nd Jack Kennedy (Honda)
3rd Eugene McManus (Ducati)
8th Max Wadsworth (Triumph)
British Supersport Championship after 8 of 11 rounds
1st Luke Stapleford (Triumph) - 307
2nd Jack Kennedy - 306
3rd Benjamin Currie - 301
23rd Max Wadsworth (Triumph) - 28
