TWO NATIONAL SPORTBIKE PODIUMS FOR TRIUMPH AT BRANDS HATCH

The Kent circuit would feature just one race for the Sportbike riders over 12 laps on Sunday (21 July). There were three Triumph Daytona 660s lining up on the first two rows of the grid with Richard Cooper, PHR Performance, in second, Thomas Strudwick on his TS Racing Triumph in fifth and Aaron Silvester on his MIH Macadam Triumph Racing Daytona in sixth.

Cooper was battling hard at the front with Championship leader Edoardo Colombi, the pair trading places for an exciting race. Strudwick had a great race to go from fifth on the grid to finish third for the final podium place. Silvester was the first of the MIH Macadam Triumph Racing riders crossing the line in sixth, with teammates Jayden Martin and Katie Hand finishing 14th and 19th respectively. Rhys Stephenson crossed the line in seventh on his Rocket Racing Triumph despite a tumble in Sunday’s warm up. 

Richard Cooper #47, PHR Performance: “It’s been a good weekend. Brands Hatch is one of my favourite circuits and so I was pretty confident coming here. With the new rule changes we’ve had a slight weight reduction in the bike which has obviously been a help to us but we still need to keep pushing for concessions in order to level the championship. I feel like I’m riding better than I ever have, at my age I’m asking quite a lot from myself. It’s enjoyable, I’m enjoying riding the bike but I’m on the limit as we are and we perhaps could just do with a little bit more from somewhere. We finished second again which is frustrating but we have to keep applying the pressure because anything can happen. It’s a long season, the weather could definitely start playing a part in it towards the end of the year. The championship points are upped at the end of the year. There’s going to be opportunities and when they arise, I will take them with both hands.”

Thomas Strudwick, #25, TS Racing Triumph: “It’s been a really great weekend in the end. I’ve built through the weekend, learning a lot from Snetterton to here. I still know that I’ve got a lot more to get with the bike to improve the feeling that I have and take full advantage of it. I just hope that I can try and get a bit closer at Thruxton and try and get a victory for Triumph.”

Aaron Silvester, #35, MIH Macadam Triumph Racing: “Overall a good weekend and I’m happy with 6th place in the race. We were struggling a little to find that last bit of speed, but we are always chipping away.”

Jayden Martin #85, MIH Macadam Triumph Racing: “This round was a great learning weekend for us. I found lots of time on Saturday compared to Friday’s practice sessions. I struggled finding the pace compared to the front runners but was learning lots. In Sunday's race I had a fantastic start but on the second lap I ran wide onto the grass and lost a few positions. I moved my way back through the pack and got myself in a nice battle with another rider. I ended up in 14th position and am happy with that. This was definitely the most difficult circuit to learn so far, but I am happy with my results and can’t wait to head to the next round at Thruxton."

Katie Hand #66, MIH Macadam Triumph Racing: “My weekend has certainly ended on a high compared to the last few rounds which is really good for my confidence. I struggled to get into it a little at the start as I was going faster but not making up the places I needed to. In the race I got a brilliant start and managed to make up five places, getting in the mix of the race. It was definitely what I needed and making steps in the right direction which is good moving forward. Next round is Thruxton in three weeks. A little break will be good but I can’t wait to get back out there and keep chipping away!”

National Sportbike Championship Round 5 - Brands Hatch

1st Edoardo Colombi (Aprilia) 

2nd Richard Cooper (PHR Performance Triumph) 

3rd Thomas Strudwick (TS Racing Triumph) 

6th Aaron Silvester (MIH Macadam Triumph Racing)

7th Rhys Stephenson (Rocket Racing Triumph)

14th Jayden Martin (MIH Macadam Triumph Racing)

19th Katie Hand (MIH Macadam Triumph Racing)

22nd Fabian Dresler (Macadam Triumph Racing, Motorrad Magazine)

National Sportbike Championship after Round 5 of 10

1st Edoardo Colombi - 177.5

2nd Richard Cooper (Triumph) - 171

3rd Ash Barnes (Yamaha) - 130

4th Thomas Strudwick (Triumph) - 111

6th Aaron Silvester (Triumph) - 90

8th Rhys Stephenson (Triumph) - 66

9th Jayden Martin (Triumph) - 39

25th  Katie Hand (Triumph) - 6

The 2024 National Sportbike Championship returns to action at Thruxton, 9 - 11 August.