Stapleford Wins Donington British Supersport Feature Race After Sprint Disappointment
The Macadam Triumph Racing team suffered both dejection and elation with a double crash followed by a win at the tenth and penultimate round of the British Supersport championship at Donington Park this past weekend (September 27-29). Both Luke Stapleford and Max Wadsworth crashed out unhurt in the Sprint Race before reversing fortunes in the Feature Race with a win and 14th place, respectively.
Stapleford on the team’s #8 Street Triple 765-based race machine started the weekend as joint championship leader and was immediately on the pace around the historic Derbyshire circuit, setting the second fastest time in practice and then going on clinch pole position.
Saturday’s 10-lap Sprint Race was held in dry but cool conditions and Stapleford was quietly confident ahead of this critical moment in the championship. When the lights went out, it was Stapleford who made the most of his pole position, leading into Redgate. Reigning champion, Ben Currie, wasted no time on making a move on Stapleford, passing him at the bottom of Craner Curves. The #8 regained the lead with a block pass into the Melbourne Loop, but it was a shock fall for Stapleford as he crashed on the entry to the final corner, the victim of pushing hard on a cold front tyre.
For teammate Wadsworth, it was an equal nightmare as another rider took him out on lap five, fortunately uninjured.
Despondent but never undeterred, the Macadam Triumph Racing team turned out two immaculate Triumphs for Sunday’s 16-lap Feature Race. Starting seventh on the grid, Stapleford made a tentative start to build into the race.
By the end of lap one, Stapleford would progress to sixth but an incredible move into the Melbourne Loop on lap three would see him pass two riders in one go. Over the next few laps, he bridged the gap to the leading riders in the race and championship, Currie and Jack Kennedy. On lap ten, Stapleford was leading the race with a confident and fast pass at Starkey’s Bridge. A small mistake allowed Currie back through but Stapleford was quick to respond, holding the lead from lap 13 until the chequered flag.
Stapleford’s sixth win of the year and 15th podium sees him 22 points back from the championship lead, with 70 points available from the final two races. Wadsworth started 11th on the grid and was pushed wide on the first corner. He worked his way back through the field and recovered his weekend to finish 14th. The final round of the 2024 British Supersport Championship takes place at Brands Hatch on October 12-14.
Luke Stapleford #8: “After a rollercoaster ride of a weekend, it was so nice to come away as the fastest bike and take the victory in an enjoyable Feature Race. A small error cost us big time in the Sprint Race on Saturday, but we go to Brands Hatch with the same goal - two race wins. Never, ever give up!”
Max Wadsworth #72: “I felt like we came away with some bad luck this weekend. It felt great to be closer to the front, qualifying 11th and running tenth in the Sprint Race until I got taken out by another rider. I had a rough start in the Feature Race, being pushed out wide on the first corner and dropping many places. I regrouped and got back inside the points, but nowhere near where I’d set my goal for the weekend.”
Race Results: Round 10 of 11 - Donington Park
Sprint Race
1st Jack Kennedy (Honda)
2nd Benjamin Currie (Ducati)
3rd TJ Toms (Yamaha)
DNF Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
DNF Max Wadsworth (Triumph)
Feature Race
1st Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
2nd Jack Kennedy (Honda)
3rd Benjamin Currie (Ducati)
14th Max Wadsworth (Triumph)
British Supersport Championship after 10 of 11 rounds
1st Jack Kennedy - 396
2nd Benjamin Currie - 375
3rd Luke Stapleford - 374
24th Max Wadsworth - 3
