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British Superbikes: James Ellison reaches the top step for Milwaukee Yamaha


British Superbikes: James Ellison reaches the top step for Milwaukee Yamaha


After a broken visor put paid to his chances of success in the season's opening race, Milwaukee Yamaha's James Ellison bounced back brilliantly to claim victory in Race 2 at Brands Hatch




On top of the podium: James Ellison celebrates victory in Race 2 at Brands Hatch
Nick Soye


If the misfortune that had befallen James Ellison in race one of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship had given the Kendal rider any cause for concern, those demons were well and truly put to bed in the second race at Brands Hatch.

Ellison’s had produced some formidable times earlier in the day and confidently knew he would be able to match the performance in race two and make amends for the earlier misdemeanor. Having set the fastest time in race one, the Milwaukee rider would begin from the front of the grid in race two. No “schoolboy errors” this time and the race visor was certainly locked.

As the lights went out to signal the start of the second race, Ellison made what can only be described as a relatively poor start by his high standards. This ultimately gifted the first corner and the lead to Rapid Solictitors Kawasaki rider Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. Exiting Paddock Hill bend Byrne looked to be repeating his race one performance that gave the reigning MCE BSB Champion his first race win of the 2013 campaign.

However Byrne’s time at the front would be all too brief as the number seventy-seven of Ellison had desires to open his own 2013 race win account with a debut victory for Shaun Muir and the Milwaukee Yamaha team. And the Brands Hatch crowd did not have to wait long as the thirty-two year old Kendal rider made a sleek move into Clearways to take the lead on lap two.

By lap six, Ellison and Byrne had started to manufacture some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack being led by Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes and 2010 BSB Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.

The unmistakable and distinctive livery of the Milwaukee Yamaha R1 continued to drive hard with Byrne close behind. Ellison looked markedly smooth and started to settle comfortably into the race executing inch perfect lines both into and out of the corners on the short circuit. Skills that Ellison demonstrated fully on lap eight when the Kendal rider posted the fastest lap of the race with a 45.833.

While Ellison was settling into a rhythm at the front of the field, teammate Josh Waters was having a very different race in thirteenth place, with a group of riders including Keith Farmer, Peter Hickman and Robin Harms. The likeable Australian was managing to fend off the attentions of Tyco Suzuki rider PJ Jacobson and hold his own in the pack, but was clearly still getting to grips with the other riders and the BSB style of racing. This was very much part of the learning process that team boss Shaun Muir had advised the current Australian Superbike Champion would be so important during these early races in BSB.

At the halfway point and back at the front of the race, Byrne appeared to be making preparations to re-take the lead back from Ellison, edging his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ever closer and repeatedly on the exit of Paddock Hill Bend. A move seemed almost inevitable.

But Ellison continued to match the three-time BSB Champion with a faultless performance, coupled with inch perfect precision around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Then on lap twenty-seven as the two riders approached Surtees, Byrne made that inevitable lunge for the lead on the inside approaching to the corner and in doing so almost collected the rear of Ellison’s R1 Yamaha. This forced the PBM rider to take evasive action and an unscheduled excursion across the grass, relinquishing any chances of a double race victory.

Byrne would not recover from his mistake and handed his second place to Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes. Barring any mistakes or mechanical failures, Ellison would simply have to safely guide home the Milwaukee Yamaha to claim his first race win of 2013.

As he exited Clearways for the final time, a brief glance over the shoulder to check on the gap to Lowes and to the applause of the crowd, fans favourite Ellison crossed the line in a time of 23:07:409 to secure Milwaukee Yamaha’s debut win.

“It’s been a very up and down weekend for me” said Ellison speaking to Mirror Sport.

“This is a great way to come back from the disappointment of race one."

"I was very comfortable in the second race and the Milwaukee Yamaha R1 was exceptional.”

“I'd said before the race that Shakey (Shane Byrne) would be strong and when the board said plus zero, I knew he was preparing to make a move. I could certainly hear him and I definitely felt him going into Surtees on lap twenty-seven.”

Byrne had outlined that Ellison seemed to “bobble” on the exit of Graham Hill bend, which gifted an opportunity for the Kawasaki rider to challenge for the lead.

“I did run too deep into the bottom bend at Graham Hill“ said Ellison. “You’ve got to be hanging over the curbs to get the run out. A foot out or less than that, and you go off track, so it’s got be right. On that lap the bike hooked up and I got into a bobble which was enough to give Shakey an opportunity. He went for it and that's racing”

Overall this was the dream start for Ellison and his Milwaukee team on their debut opener for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch. Much to the delight of Milwaukee team boss Shaun Muir and representatives from Milwaukee Tools and other team sponsors.

“It’s a great result for the Milwaukee Yamaha team, the sponsors and the fans of BSB. We're all very happy,” said Ellison.

“Full credit to Shaun (Muir) and the guys for a very impressive start”.

“We’ve got a great package, a fantastic team and great sponsors” said the race winner.

The teams now move quickly on to round two of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Thruxton in a few days time. Mirror Sport asked Ellison how he was looking forward to returning to Thruxton and a track that has not been too kind to him in the past.

“It’s a track I have always liked, despite what happened in the past when I went down on some oil. Nothing to do with the track” said the Milwaukee rider.

“I think everyone has been a little on edge for the opening weekend at Brands, so Thruxton will be very much welcomed for us all”.

“There have been a few nerves this weekend, especially after such a long lay off the bike and with very little testing. It’s important in BSB that you come prepared. No amount of time in the gym can prepare you for the races. You need time on the bike and that's what we've all missed.”

“Unfortunately the days that the MSV (Motor Sport Vision) guys put on for us, in March, were just too cold. So everyone was a little under-prepared for this one.”

"It will be nice to move on from Brands with the win and settle down at a track like Thruxton. I'm certainly ready for it now” said Ellison.

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