Ashley takes Cup lead and BSB top ten.

M.A.R rider Malcolm Ashley has taken the lead in the Bennetts British Superbike Cup from Irish rider Marty Nutt, following two podium finishes and a top ten outright result in the second race at a rain soaked Donington Park.

Ashley, who is also the M.A.R team boss had to curtail his retirement from racing as a result of regular M.A.R rider Michael Howarth breaking his ankle just prior to the start of the season. It was lucky for the team that Ashley was in a position to step in and now he is heading the championship.

Avoiding the early race one pile-up which saw five riders go down on the first corner allowed Ashley to continue his race where he enjoyed a battle with Vivaldi Racing's Ollie Bridewell towards the end of the rain shortened race.

The weather deteriorated for race two however Ashley got off to a good start and gradually picked off riders as the race progressed. By the sixth lap he was in an overall points scoring position and he ploughed on through the rain to finish in the top ten overall and second in the Superbike Cup. Speaking after race two, Ashley said that he had never anticipated being in a position where he would be leading the 2006 Superbike Cup.

"I didn't think I would be actively competing this year, let alone leading the Superbike Cup after two rounds. Picking up a top ten overall finish has been a real bonus as well and I'm just really pleased to be in this position for both the team and the sponsors," he concluded.