Easton takes Race One at Thruxton

Mar-Train Yamaha's Stuart Easton claimed his second Motorpoint British Supersport race win after the race was red flagged with two laps remaining, after reigning champion Glen Richards high sided at the final corner of the Club chicane and his Smiths of Gloucester Triumph burst into flames as a result.

Gearlink Kawasaki's Alastair Seeley took the holeshot but quickly came under challenge from his team-mate Ben Wilson. The Kawasaki duo scrapping at the front allowed the wee Scotsman, Easton, to catch them up and then slipstream past on the run into the Club chicane. 

Adelaide racer Richards then began to challenge for the final spot on the podium, passing Ben Wilson, but the spud missile fought back almost immediately, retaking third place. The reigning champion was pushed back even further to fifth, with his team-mate Billy McConnell getting the better of him.

With just two laps remaining, Richards flicked his way through the Club chicane before high-siding, spitting himself over the top of his Triumph Daytona, which was cart-wheeling it's way down the start-finish straight. 

Seton Yamaha's Graeme Gowland collided with the stricken bike but fortunately remained on the bike but as a result of the collision, the number one plated Triumph burst into flames. With the second Supersport race running later this afternoon, it is unlikely to see Richards line-up on the grid.

Easton held on to take his second victory in his second finish of the year, in front of now championship leader, Alastair Seeley. Wilson was third ahead of McConnell and Gowland.

Samsung Honda's Jason O'Halloran finished sixth, beating Luke Jones and the best of the cup competitors, Jake Dixon. Former Superstock 1000 champion, Richard Cooper, crossed the line in eighth beating Northern Irishmen Glenn Irwin and team-mate Scott Smart.

By Jack Appleyard at Thruxton

Image by Impact Images