Seeley has to settle for runner-up spot

East Antrim’s Alastair Seeley came close to taking his second British Supersport title when he came within a whisker of getting that all-important victory in Saturday’s sprint race at Brands Hatch.
Alastair Seeley had to settle for runner-up in Supersport SeriesAlastair Seeley had to settle for runner-up in Supersport Series
Alastair Seeley had to settle for runner-up in Supersport Series

Championship rival, Stuart Easton, had machine problems and could only finish 11th while the Carrick man claimed second to close the gap on the Scot.

Luke Jones made the early running ahead of Richard Cooper and Seeley, while Easton ran back in seventh place. Jones ran wide on the third lap at Druids with Seeley charging through to take the lead, ahead of Cooper and Glen Richards.

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With quite a few riders falling foul of the track conditions Seeley was consolidating his position at the front but Cooper was fighting back, closing him down while trying to head off Easton who snatched second place from him on the ninth lap and attacked Seeley for the lead.

Easton was ahead of Cooper by 0.157secs as they crossed the line after 10 hard-fought laps, with Seeley in third but on a dramatic eleventh lap the rain became heavier. Seeley pushed back in front and then Stapleford crashed at Paddock Hill Bend.

The red-flags came out with the result declared from the previous lap and Easton was the race winner, claiming the title crown for the second time.

“To say I’m gutted is an understatement,” admitted Seeley.

“It’s been such a rollercoaster year and the crash and injuries I sustained at Cadwell were what put a huge hindrance on my season and I’ve ended up second.

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“I couldn’t have finished second to a better and worthy champion; we’ve had some fantastic battles over the season and it’s been an enjoyable year just with the end result not what I was hoping.

“I finished this race smiling knowing that I had tried my best. My laps this year at every track were always consistently fast and that’s a testament to the Gearlink Kawasaki team.

“I tried hard this weekend and did everything I could to try and win the championship and fair play and congratulations to Stuart Easton for winning it. Thank you to everyone who has supported me this season, my sponsors, my family, mechanics, girlfriend and the entire Gearlink Team. It’s been great, just unfortunate not to take the championship win.”