BRITISH SUPERSPORT: Irwin dedicates victory to injured Jamie Hamilton

Carrick’s Glenn Irwin had a surprise, yet deserving win in Sunday’s Motorpoint British Supersport race after leaders Luke Stapleford and Kyle Ryde had a coming together on the last lap.
Glenn Irwin on his way to victory in the British Supersport class at Snetterton. INLT 26-929-CONGlenn Irwin on his way to victory in the British Supersport class at Snetterton. INLT 26-929-CON
Glenn Irwin on his way to victory in the British Supersport class at Snetterton. INLT 26-929-CON

He dedicated his success to Jamie Hamilton who was injured at the Isle of Man TT. The Ballyclare rider was recovering at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool following his serious crash, and has since been transferred to a hospital in Belfast.

Irwin had taken his Gearlink Kawasaki to fifth place in Saturday’s sprint race after crashing on the out lap. He came through from last place to beat his team-mate Luke Hedger by 0.0181 of a second.

“Firstly I would like to dedicate this win to the recovery of my close friends Jamie Hamilton and Stephen Thompson. Secondly, a huge thank you to the Gearlink Kawasaki team and K-Tech who managed to turn the bike around and we are now where we need to be with a little bit of fine tuning.

Ballyclare's Jamie Hamilton pictured at the Isle of Man TT. INLT 25-924-CONBallyclare's Jamie Hamilton pictured at the Isle of Man TT. INLT 25-924-CON
Ballyclare's Jamie Hamilton pictured at the Isle of Man TT. INLT 25-924-CON

“I know the team will be working hard now to progress on any weak points we had this weekend and move forwards and work towards being able to win the title.”

Fellow Carrick rider Alastair Seeley qualified the Tyco BMW on pole for the Pirelli National Superstock race, but couldn’t convert it into a win on Sunday, having to settle for second after leading for most of the way.

Fellow Ulster rider Josh Elliot left it until the last lap to pull alongside him around the sweeping right-hander of Corrams before block-passing his way into the lead at the following left of Murrays.

“If I’m honest the result is not good enough. I led for long periods and although I lost my quick shifter at around half distance, I should have covered the pass from Elliott on the last lap.

“Take nothing away from him, he’s riding well, but we had an advantage today on the Tyco BMW S1000RR and we didn’t make full use of it. It’s another podium for BMW and our sponsors but one rung lower than where I set my goals for this weekend,” explained a disappointed Seeley.

In the superstock 600 race another Carrick rider, Andrew Irwin, on the MWR Kawasaki just pipped South African Jordan Weaving for fourth by 0.040.

Newtownabbey teenager Aaron Wright finished seventh in race two of the KTM race after a non finish in race one on the Collision Kawasaki Belfast KTM.

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