Jason O’Halloran to ‘reset’ as format, DNFs wipe out 106 point BSB lead

Jason O’Halloran says he will ‘reset’ after a disastrous opening Title Showdown event at Oulton Park saw him cede his once vast British Superbike Championship (BSB) for the first time this year.

The Australian came into the three-round, nine-race Showdown as the comfortable favourite having accumulated 11 wins en route to building a huge 106 point lead that - under a conventional format - is unlikely to have been bridged over the final rounds.

However, much of this advantage had already been taken away as a result of the Title Showdown format that equalises the points of the top eight riders, before adding on credits for podiums. 

As such, O’Halloran came to Oulton Park with a much slender but still comfortable 30 point advantage over McAMS Yamaha team-mate Tarran Mackenzie.

However, around a circuit he scored a trio of wins at the top of the season, O’Halloran’s fortunes faltered with a double DNF - including a fall from the lead in race one - opening the door for rivals to capitalise.

It means O’Halloran’s lead has been entirely wiped out, with Mackenzie now the series leader for the first time by two points, while double winner Tommy Bridewell has moved to within nine points of the top too.

“It’s been a difficult weekend. We were leading the race yesterday and crashed, I led every lap of the race this morning and then had another crash in race three. It’s not been ideal, I’ve struggled a little bit with the feeling of the front of the bike all weekend and it caught me out twice. 

“I just need to reset, go through things away from the track and make a plan for next weekend to come out stronger.”