The Buildbase BMW squad and Taylor Mackenzie enjoyed another successful weekend, this time on the Continent, for the penultimate round of the 2016 British Superbike Championship held at the Netherlands Cathedral of Speed; TT Circuit Assen. 

The National Superstock 1000 Championship does not travel to Assen, and so as a bonus for tying the Championship up last month at Donington Park, the team entered Taylor as a wildcard in the ONK Dutch Superbike event.  Putting his BMW S1000RR on pole position, the Ashby youngster led from the front, and passed the chequered flag 3.5 seconds ahead of fellow Brit Ben Godfrey. 

Meanwhile in the British Superbike class, teammates Richard Cooper and Lee Jackson had a strong weekend between them.  Cooper was consistent during free practice, not moving outside of the top nine, before putting his BMW machinery seventh on the grid for race one.  Jackson qualified 18^th, putting his BMW on the sixth row of the grid. 

After a poor start off the line in race one, Richard worked hard to improve his pace throughout the 18 laps of the 2.822 mile circuit, before taking the finish line in eighth.  Lincolnshire based Jackson finished in 15^th, claiming the final available point.  

Cooper made a better start in race two, but was pushed back after Iddon ran him wide.  Undeterred, the #47 rider fought to cross the line in 10^th, securing valuable points towards the quest to secure the Riders Cup trophy at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.  A much stronger race for Lee saw him consistently put in competitive lap times, before finishing 13^th and inside the points.

Steve Hicken, Team Manager: “Another great weekend for Taylor, and testament to the fantastic season he is having this year.  He took the win on a wildcard entry and was lapping faster than riders in the BSB class so we can’t complain!  Both Richard and Lee rode well, in what was two of the tightest and closest races we have seen this year.  We’re looking forward to the Championship finale at Brands Hatch in a fortnight, where we will be working to claim the Riders Cup with Richard and lift the winning Superstock 1000cc trophy with Taylor.