Two winners from two races, and now just one round to decide it all… Assen delivered the goods in Round 7 of the R&G British Cup!
Holt strikes first on Saturday
TT Circuit Assen: The Cathedral of Speed, corners steeped in history and now the setting for the seventh stop of the R&G British Cup! Saturday saw Marco Holt (City Lifting / RS Racing) triumph in Race 1, storming to victory and adding further silverware to his collection. Luke Fitchett (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) followed behind, clinching second and finishing a further 2.703s behind. Mason Foster (Ultrawhippet) took third, claiming a well-deserved podium.
Jack Dunabie (Kovara Projects / RS Racing) launched from pole position in mixed conditions, fending off Ryan Frost (Fibre Tec Honda By MLav Racing) at Turn 1. Dunabie’s teammate, Fitchett, also made an incredible start, getting to work on his first visit to the Dutch venue. Tyre choice proved to be crucial, with Frost dropping down to P9, whilst Jack Burrows (Burrows Engineering / RK Racing) entered the top five conversation.
First Fitchett, then Holt, the fastest lap was changing hands as the pace increased in the fight for victory. Burrows’ momentum continued too, going head-to-head with Foster in the podium battle at the halfway point. MLav Racing had some nervous moments too, with Tyler Humphries (Fibre Tec Honda By MLav Racing) and Thorley Trevorrow (Fibre Tec Honda By MLav Racing) going to battle for P7. Meanwhile, Lily Rhodes (Wilson Racing) suffered late drama, retiring from Saturday’s proceedings on Lap 9.
Clayton Edmunds (City Lifting / RS Racing) became our first crasher the following lap, crashing out of contention and continuing a disappointing run. On the other side of the box, Holt was relentless, extending his margin to Fitchett and the remainder of the field. It was form which continued until the chequered flag, leaving the #37 to grab victory as the final spot on the podium went down to the wire – it was Foster vs Burrows.
Holt held a nearly three-second winning margin, as Fitchett claimed second after losing time with backmarkers. Foster snatched the final spot on the podium, beating Burrows, whilst Dunabie completed the top five. Trevorrow and Humphries ended their fight in sixth and seventh, whilst Harrison Day (LRA Moto supported by HV Solutions) bagged P8 on Saturday afternoon. Championship leader Frost was down in ninth as Joshua Williams (Dunsley Heat Racing) rounded out the top 10 ahead of Sunday!
Title heat: Dunabie applies pressure to Frost
Jack Dunabie was back to his true self on Sunday, returning to the top step of the podium in Race 2 and securing a crucial 25 points. Dunabie closed the gap to title rival Ryan Frost to just 26 points – leaving everything to play for at the season finale. Frost was runner-up in Race 2, missing out on glory by a mere 0.027s, whilst Marco Holt completed the podium after a red flag brought an early end to play on Sunday.
Luke Fitchett launched from pole in Race 2 but was unable to hold onto the advantage as Foster stormed into the lead. It was an impressive start from Tyler Humphries, working his way into the podium places following a third-row start. Dunabie was quick to work too, entering the lead on Lap 2 after launching from P6 on the grid. The Championship contenders were in prime position once more, with Frost, Holt and Jack Burrows all inside the front group.
There was early drama for Charlie Cunningham (Charlie Cunningham Racing), retiring from Race 2 and forced the #34 to watch the remainder of Sunday’s action from the sidelines. Thorley Trevorrow had issues of his own too, crashing out on Lap 9. Back at the front, Holt, Dunabie and Frost remained in a league of their own, trading blows and Championship points as the race edged towards the closing stages.
The lead group grew in the final laps too, with Alex Remesal-Lomas (Fibre Tec Honda By MLav Racing) and Tyler Humphries joining the fun. The #23 turned up the wick as well, smashing the lap record at Assen and placing himself in prime real estate for victory. Dunabie led the field onto the final lap before Holt launched a late attack for victory. However, rain arrived and brought out the red flag – handing Dunabie P1.
Dunabie’s winning margin sat at 0.027s, leaving Frost in second with the #24’s Championship reduced once more. Holt completed the podium, whilst Remesal-Lomas and Humphries completed the perfect day for MLav Racing – rounding out the top five. Polesitter Fitchett crossed the line in sixth following a difficult second half of Race 2 as Burrows, Foster, Harrison Day and Hudson Cooper (Rides R Us / NW Racing) secured the final spot inside the top 10.
Donington Park awaits. The R&G British Cup season finale is next, where Frost and Dunabie have three races to settle the scores. Join us at the start of October for a triple-header to decide it all!
