MotorcycleRaceParts | TYSERS
BSB Oulton Park 2022
Strong Oulton Weekend For Tunstall
The penultimate round of the 2023 Ducati TriOptions Cup saw Tom Tunstall bring a strong pace all weekend.
Taking pole position and battling for race wins, he narrowly missed out, bringing home 2nd and 3rd place finishes.
The undulating and picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire staged the latest round of the British Superbike Championships over the weekend.
In the Ducati Cup class it was MotorcycleRaceParts/TYSERS rider Tom Tunstall taking the early initiative. Fastest than the rest of the field by nearly 1.5 second in the opening free practice.
Backed up with a consistently fast pace in qualifying netted him his second pole position of the year.
The first of the weekend’s two races had drama from the start.
Having been nudged back to fourth place exiting the first turn. Tunstall made swift work passing Max Lofthouse into Island bend and Blaze Baker three corners later into Hislops.
Back at turn one, a multi-rider crash saw the safety car deployed with Tunstall now in 2nd and just behind season long rival David Shoubridge.
When the race restarted the pair pulled clear of the rest of the field with Tunstall matching Shoubridge’s lap times and working to make an opportunity to pass.
Starting the last lap he dived inside to take the lead into Old Hall. Shoubridge held the outside and blocked a counter move as the pair continued.
Shoubridge stayed defensive but Tunstall had another go into the final corner, Lodge. But he had to ease off to avoid a collision, crossing the line only 0.1 back in second place.
Delays due to an eventful Sunday on track meant the second race was shortened to only 8 laps.
Tunstall ended lap one in 3rd behind Baker and Shoubridge.
As the trio battled, Tunstall was unable to find a way through. Showing his strong pace again and setting the fastest lap on multiple occasions, he eventually crossed the line in third to take his 13th podium of the season.
“I’ve got really mixed feelings… Right now I’m frustrated and a bit disappointed that I didn’t convert the strong pace this weekend into a win. When it’s so close it stings that bit more. The opportunity was there and I tried hard but didn’t get it done.
In reality though I’ve got to be happy with my weekend’s performance fast in every session and battling for the win with another 2 podium finishes can’t be a bad weekend!
I really enjoyed riding the V2 around here. The close racing was good fun and I’m really looking forward to the final round at Brands Hatch where we’ll have another good go. I’m sure all three of us will be fighting at the front again and of course we’ll push hard for that win.”
The final round of the Ducati TriOptions series takes place around the Brands Hatch GP circuit over the weekend of the 14th – 16th of October.
In the championship standings, Tunstall has secured second place at worst and trails Shoubridge by 37 points. With 50 points remaining on the table the championship is Shoubridge’s to lose. However in racing anything can happen!
