Swan Honda secure victory at Brands Hatch

The Swan Honda team got their season off to a flying start at Brands Hatch today with James Ellison securing a double podium finish, winning the second race of the day, at the opening round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Ellison started from tenth on the grid before battling through the field to secure third in the opening race, whilst Stuart Easton put in a gritty performance to finish sixth despite still suffering from his leg injury sustained in testing.

For race two Ellison started from second on the grid, due to the fastest lap from race one deciding the grid position for race two, and he got off to a storming start to lead the field from race one winner Tommy Hill. Ellison held the advantage to give Swan Honda their first win of the season whilst Easton impressed from his second row start to finish in a strong fifth place.

Ellison said: "I am having so much fun with the Swan Honda team and today you could see that. I knew we had the pace so it was a case of keeping it smooth and consistent as there were about ten people out there that could have won the race. I wanted to get into the lead in the second race, as we had moved up to the front row, and I knew we would have a good shot at the win which is exactly what we did. The team have done such a fantastic job and it is a great result to win on my first race back with the Swan Honda team and reward the team for their hard work."

Easton said: "In the first race I felt happy with the pace and the only time I was really aware of the injury was the change of direction from Druids to Graham Hill Bend. I was having a hard scrap with Alastair Seeley, but he was able to get by and I was happy with the points for sixth. In the second race I was happy with fifth; to come away fourth in the championship despite the injury is a good start for me. I am now looking forward to my leg healing and getting my season underway properly at Thruxton."

Team Manager Shaun Muir concluded: "I'm absolutely delighted with the performances of both my riders for different reasons. Stuart was fantastic; riding through the pain barrier and it has been quite a psychological week for him, but his consistency has paid off.  James was great in the first race to come through from tenth on the grid to finish third and then to start second and win was a testament to his desire to win the championship.  We wanted to get some good points on the board here at Brands Hatch and we have done just that, so we leave here happy and now look forward to Thruxton."

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race one result:  

1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki)
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.723s
3. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +4.607s
4. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +4.655s
5. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +8.785s
6. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +10.598s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race two:

1. James Ellison (Swan Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.186s
3. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +4.925s
4. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +6.711s
5. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +22.060s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, standings after Brands Hatch:

1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 45
2. James Ellison (Swan Honda) +41
3. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 29
4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 21
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 20