Lee Johnston Claims Podium in Tough British Supersport Conditions
Lee Johnston powered his SENCAT by Swan Racing Triumph Street Triple 765 from eighth on the grid to third, securing his first podium of the year in a tricky Sprint Race at Brands Hatch. Teammate Luke Stapleford qualified fourth but dropped back in a six-rider battle to finish 13th, while Max Wadsworth crashed out. In Sunday’s Feature Race, Stapleford charged from 31st to 17th, narrowly missing out on points.
Round five of the British Supersport Championship saw the series return to Brands Hatch, where rain arrived just before the start of both races—creating unpredictable, mixed conditions and forcing teams into tough tyre decisions.
Saturday’s Sprint Race was declared wet for the 10-lap dash. Johnston got a lightning start from eighth, quickly moving into fourth aboard his Street Triple 765. Stapleford, meanwhile, slipped back from his fourth-place grid slot. Max Wadsworth was caught out by the greasy conditions, high-siding early on but thankfully walking away unhurt.
Stapleford rode cautiously in the early laps and was soon embroiled in a six-way scrap mid-pack. He eventually crossed the line 13th but retained third in the championship standings. At the front, Johnston stayed calm and composed, executing a last-lap move to take third and celebrate his first podium of the season on the Triumph.
Sunday’s 18-lap Feature Race brought more rain just before the lights went out. Grid positions were determined by lap times from Saturday’s race, which meant the order was shuffled - those who had gambled on intermediate tyres had banked the fastest laps. Stapleford lined up 21st, Wadsworth 33rd.
Both riders started cautiously in the changeable conditions and dropped back early on. At one point, Stapleford was down in 31st, but as the track dried, he launched a determined comeback to climb all the way to 17th, just one place short of the points. Wadsworth brought his machine home in 25th.
The team now regroups ahead of round six at Thruxton, taking place 8–10 August.
RESULTS - BRITISH SUPERSPORT ROUND 5, BRANDS HATCH
Race 1:
1. Ben Currie (Moto Rapido Ducati)
2. Joe Talbot (Binch Pro Ducati)
3. Lee Johnston (SENCAT By Swan Racing Triumph)
13. Luke Stapleford (Macadam Triumph)
DNF. Max Wadsworth (Macdam Triumph)
Race 2:
1. Ben Currie (Moto Rapido Ducati)
2. Joe Talbot (Binch Pro Ducati)
3. Rhys Irwin (Performance15 Suzuki)
17. Luke Stapleford (Macadam Triumph)
25. Max Wadsworth (Macdam Triumph)
DNF. Lee Johnston (SENCAT By Swan Racing Triumph)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Rhys Irwin (181 points)
2. Ben Currie (170 points)
3. Jack Kennedy (142 points)
4. Luke Stapleford (133 points)
7. Lee Johnston (73 points)
