Glenn Irwin retains British Superbike title lead after finishing fourth in race one a Snetterton | Andrew Irwin crashes out on first lap

Honda Racing rider Glenn, who leads the championship, was in 10th place in the early stages of the race, but made rapid ground through the pack to challenge for the podium in the closing stages.

VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon claimed his maiden BSB victory by 1.3s from team-mate Josh Brookes, who narrowly held off Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Ducati) and Irwin to seal the final rostrum place.

Andrew Irwin, who was forced to start the race from the rear of the grid after being penalised for an incident with Brookes at Donington Park, which resulted in the Australian rider crashing out at high speed, has now dropped to fourth in the standings, 23 points behind his older brother Glenn.

The 25-year-old won the first two races of the 2020 season at Donington Park on the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade before being excluded from the result in race three.

The safety car was deployed following Irwin's crash on Saturday and the race got under way again on lap four, when leader Danny Buchan (Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki) crashed out.

Race winner Iddon moves up to second overall in the standings, tied on points with Bridewell, with both riders 14 points behind Glenn Irwin.

The Carrickfergus man will start from pole position on Sunday after setting the fastest lap of the race as he scythed his way through the pack to join the leading group.

Dublin's Jack Kennedy finsished 17th after running off the track on lap one, while BSB rookie Graeme Irwin was 20th and Brian McCormack 22nd.

Sunday’s BSB races are scheduled for 13:30 BST and 16:30 BST.

Meanwhile, young prospect Cameron Dawson finished fifth in the opening British Junior Supersport race after qualifying on the front row in third place on the KMR Kawasaki.

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