The British Superbike Championship reaches the business end of the season this weekend, with the opening round of three in this year’s Showdown, at Assen in the Netherlands.
With just seven races remaining this year and six riders left to fight it out for the 2015 BSB title – Tyco BMW is delighted to be the only team with two riders in the Showdown line up.
Tyco BMW riders Tommy Bridewell and Michael Laverty hold fourth and sixth place respectively going into this weekend’s action at the Cathedral of Motorsport, with both men looking for a solid start to Showdown.
Tommy Bridewell: “The Showdown is all about trying to close the gap to Josh [Brookes] and Shakey [Byrne] over these last three rounds. They have been the dominant riders so far, but when everything is going right, then I am normally the next one there. It’s never too late to fight for the title but at this stage of the season we all need a little bit of luck and anything can happen.
“Being in the Showdown doesn’t mean you can back off at all as we all need to keep proving ourselves. Goal one was to get into the top six and now goal two is to put every ounce of me into fighting for podiums at the very least. Anything less than the top three is not enough now.”
Michael Laverty: “For me it was a huge relief to qualify for the Showdown because I did go into the Oulton Park weekend a little worried. Our goal at the start of the season was to get both Tyco BMWs into the Showdown and yes there was a point in the year where we didn’t think that would happen. We have achieved that and now I am looking forward to getting back to my normal self at Assen.
“In a way I can take a slightly more relaxed attitude as from sixth place I can only move up in the Showdown. Anything can happen and one incident can change the whole championship in an instant. We have seen that before at Assen as there won’t be any holding back now from anyone – and that isn’t just from the top six.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager: “As we’ve already said, it is very satisfying for Tyco BMW to be the only team with both riders in the Showdown. In many ways we enter this phase of the championship with the pressure removed as the guys leading the points have the series favourites’ tag pinned to their leathers. It allows both Tommy and Michael to go out there and show us what they are capable of achieving on the Tyco BMW S1000RR. Yes we still have a chance of the title but in this situation we can throw caution to the wind a little and what will be will be.”
Event Timetable
Friday: 10.15am – Free Practice 1 & 3.45pm Free Practice 2
Saturday: 10.35am – Free Practice 3 followed by BSB Qualifying at 4pm
Sunday: BSB Race 1 [18 laps] – 12.25pm & Race 2 [18 laps] 4.30pm
For more information please contact – [email protected]
www.tycobmw.com