Robert English sparkles on Masters Superbike debut

Robert English made a stunning debut on the IFS Yamaha R1 Superbike to win both races at the opening round of the Mondello Masters Championship.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2016, 19:47 BST
Updated 21st Mar 2016, 20:24 BST
Robert English in action on the IFS Yamaha R1 at Mondello Park.Robert English in action on the IFS Yamaha R1 at Mondello Park.
Robert English in action on the IFS Yamaha R1 at Mondello Park.

The reigning Masters Supersport champion twice passed Gerard Kinghan (Kawasaki) to make an impressive start to his Superbike career, earning his maiden Masters wins in the class in style.

His team-mate and current Irish Superbike champion, Ryan Rainey, twice finished third after making a poor start in both races, coming through to edge out Nikki Coates – also making his Masters Superbike bow – to claim the final place on the rostrum.

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There was bad luck for Jamie Patterson, who was unable to compete after destroying his bike in a practice crash, while Brian McCormack suffered a blown engine in qualifying and left empty-handed.

Richie Ryan won both Supersport races from pole on his Triumph 675, taking victory in race one from Robert Kennedy and Luke Johnston.

Ryan narrowly had the upper hand in race two holding off Kennedy on during the dash to the line to win by only 0.003 of a second in a thrilling finish.

Bishopscourt in Co. Down hosts the next round of the series on Saturday, April 16.