BSB: Dutch drama: Haslam’s double delight as Dixon out of Assen race two.

The rollercoaster in the fight for the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title race continued at Assen as Leon Haslam doubled up on victories but it was disaster for closest rival Jake Dixon as a technical problem put him out of race two ahead of the title decider at Brands Hatch (October 12/13/14).

There was an incident-packed start to the race with Michael Laverty crashing before completing half a lap but at the front Peter Hickman had snatched the advantage from Jake Dixon and Richard Cooper.

However before the pack crossed the line for the first time there was a huge crash for Dan Linfoot as he clipped the rear tyre of Haslam and the Honda Racing rider crashed out, taking Tommy Bridewell with him.

The BMW Safety Car was deployed and as the race was about to resume Tarran Mackenzie had a moment coming out of the final chicane which he couldn’t save and the McAMS Yamaha rider crashed out of contention.

At the front Josh Brookes was pushing and he made a move on Richard Cooper to move into third with Haslam also doing the same a lap later, but there was drama for Dixon as the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider was forced to retire with a technical problem on lap 10.

At the front Hickman was pushing to hold on but Brookes charged into the lead on lap 11, but Haslam was on the hunt and piling on the pressure after moving into second place two laps later with an inch-perfect move into the final chicane on Hickman.

Haslam had Brookes as his target and with three laps to go he made his move; he fired the JG Speedfit Kawasaki down the inside into turn one and despite his Australian rival’s best attempts he held him off to the chequered flag with Hickman in third.

An epic battle for fourth was won by Glenn Irwin on the Be Wiser Ducati after he had regained ground after early evasive action to keep Cooper in fifth and his brother Andrew in sixth.

Bradley Ray was able to salvage seventh place ahead of James Ellison with Danny Buchan and Christian Iddon completing the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Race two result:

1. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
2. Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.138s
3. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.946s
4. Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +8.184s
5. Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.555s
6. Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +10.663s
7. Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +11.306s
8. James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +11.490s
9. Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +18.334s
10. Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +23.521s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship ahead of the Brands Hatch finale:

1. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 654
2. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 593
3. Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 557
4. Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 554
5. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 549
6. Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 533

The season finale of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship is the Showdown finale at Brands Hatch (October 12/13/14)