Academy victory in R6 Cup.

Last weekend at Oulton Park saw ACU Academy riders feature at the front end of a variety of the British Superbike support races - culminating in a victory in the ultra competitive Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup.

The omens looked good when Cal Crutchlow grabbed pole position in qualifying, just ahead of Academy 'team-mate' Kieran Clarke - but it was the latter who took the holeshot into turn one, ahead of Tommy Hill, with Crutchlow third.

As the race progressed, Clarke, Hill and Crutchlow showed their class and pulled comfortably away from the chasing pack - the lead swapping between them all the time.

The deadlock was finally broken when Clarke made an error in the closing stages, relegated him to third and under the close attention of Benji Cockerill. At the same time, Crutchlow (top picture) seized the opportunity to break away and rode a brilliant final 2 laps to take his second win of the season, ahead of Hill, with Clarke holding onto third at the flag.

Meanwhile, in the 125cc GP class it was another Academy rider, 15-year-old Tommy Bridewell (lower picture), on pole position, and he was soon involved in one of the most exciting and ferocious races of the season as the top ten riders - including reigning British 125 Champion Chris Martin, fresh back from half a season of Grand Prix racing - battled it out.

However, the race was unfortunately interrupted by the safety car when Tye Kinton was left motionless on the trackside after a heavy fall, and a restart was soon called - meaning a combined result race.

With grid positions based on track positions at the red flag, Tommy was soon up with the leaders again and managed to maintain fourth position to the finish, which promoted him to 3rd overall on combined time.

The next round of the British and National Championships will take place at Cadwell Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend.