BSB Oulton Park R3 Results | Title race close as Bridewell wins, O'Halloran DNF

Tommy Bridewell has launched himself into the thick of the 2021 British Superbike Championship (BSB) title race with a dominant second win of the day at Oulton Park as Jason O’Halloran crashed to cede the lead of the standings for the first time.

After charging to victory from 13th at the end of the opening lap in race two, Bridewell was in imperious form from pole position in race three as he got the holeshot into turn one before surging clear at a remarkable pace.

More than 2.5secs clear of the chasing pack by the end of lap two, Bridwell lifted his advantage to almost ten seconds before drizzle in the closing stages prompted him to ease off, crossing the line with six seconds in hand.

His third win of the year, the 50 points have hauled him right up into the title battle on a significant day that saw the lead change hands for the first time after O’Halloran suffered his second crash of the weekend.

Already running unusually down the order on the 60th Anniversary liveried Yamaha R1, O’Halloran crashed out at Cascades on Lap 12. With Tarran Mackeznie finishing fifth having almost come down in a clash that eliminated Lee Jackson with three laps to go, the McAMS Yamaha rider now leads by two points over his counterpart, with Bridewell now nine points off the top.

Josh Brookes put in a sterling ride to second despite spending the entire race fending off numerous attacks from behind, the defending champion also lucky not to crash with a big wobble out of the first turn.

Bradley Ray scored his and OMG Racing’s second podium of the season in third place, fending off Peter Hickman in fourth place and Mackenzie in fifth.

With most of the Title Showdown contenders enduring tricky days, Danny Buchan and Glenn Irwin came home in sixth and seventh, while Christian Iddon was left in 11th having run out at Old Hall, nosing into the barriers before pulling the Ducati out of the gravel to pick up some points.

It means he is now 33 points off the overall lead in fourth, with Hickman 43 points down and Brookes 51 points down. Buchan and Irwin complete the top eight, a respective 52 points and 64 points off the lead.

2021 British Superbike Championship (BSB) Race 3 RESULTS | Oulton Park