Iddon brings 2017 to a close with BSB Riders’ Cup victory at Brands Hatch

TYCO BMW racer Christian Iddon finished the 2017 season on a high as the Stockport-born British Superbike rider claimed the series-long Riders’ Cup along with two second-placed finishes at Brands Hatch.

Iddon claimed a front-row start for the first of a trio of races around the Grand Prix circuit as the 2017 season came to a head.

Grabbing second place and his fifth podium of the year as he crossed the line just 1.7secs behind race winner Shane Byrne [Ducati], Iddon set himself up for another front-row start for race two.

In the second encounter of the weekend, the former World Superbike rider chased home Byrne once more, this time it was just 0.5s separating the two of them at the flag.

Race three, and the final race of the season saw Iddon lead up to and beyond a brief safety car period – when title contender Leon Haslam [Kawasaki] crashed out dramatically at over 170mph.

Heavy tyre wear, however, saw Iddon sucked back in to the pack, eventually crossing the line in an admirable fifth place, and with enough points over the Yamaha of James Ellison to finish top of the Riders Cup standings. Josh Brookes [Yamaha] taking the win.

“It’s great to win the Riders’ Cup. After missing two rounds mid-season, we ultimately missed the Showdown so it was a case of ‘re-focussing’ and finishing off the season strongly, and this trophy means that as a team we did just that,” Iddon said.

“It’s really great and some kind of pay back to the TYCO BMW squad who’ve really given me their all this year, as they did last year, and we’re going to work hard to make sure we’re in the championship ‘proper’ next year.

“It’s a shame how the middle of the season panned out, but it’s great to end the season on a high- we raced very well, the boys gave me a great bike, and it’s definitely a direction we can go in for next season, so everything’s positive.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to TYCO BMW and also to my family, friends and amazing sponsors for always sticking by me. I’m already looking forward to racing for that title in 2018.”