‘Fans Rider of the Year’
British is Best
Bennetts has revealed that three British riders have emerged
as leading contenders for the ‘Fans Rider of the Year’
award in a poll at this season’s Bennetts British Superbike
Championship events so far.
HM Plant Honda rider Jonathan Rea topped the fan’s
rider of the year list at the mid point of the season and
his rise to popularity is hardly surprising given the success
he is enjoying with the factory-supported Honda team. The
Ulsterman is already tipped for a move to the Superbike World
Championship® in 2008 and is a serious contender for this
year’s Bennetts British Superbike crown.
The only non-British rider to make an appearance in the top
three was seven-times Moto GP World Champion Valentino Rossi.
The Italian legend was the joint favourite on the fans wish
list for a pillion ride, along with Leon Haslam. The Airwaves
Ducati rider was also second in the most popular rider poll
but narrowly missed out on the top spot to championship rival
Rea.
Chris Walker also featured prominently in both categories.
Although the Rizla Suzuki rider has not enjoyed the most successful
season of his career, he is still currently the third most
popular rider among fans and second on the pillion wish list.
The final British rider featured in the polls conducted by
the Bennetts Babes in the Bennetts British Superbike paddock
is James Toseland. The World Superbike Championship leader
– who is personally sponsored by Bennetts, the UK’s
number one for bike insurance* - is in third position on the
fan’s pillion ride wish list.
However, all of this could change with the influence of fans
at the final two rounds of the popular domestic motorcycle
racing series. The Bennetts Babes will be continuing the poll
at the final two rounds at Donington Park and Brands Hatch,
where fans can have their say on who wins the ‘Fans
Rider of the Year’ title.
The final results and overall winners will be announced shortly
after the final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
at Brands Hatch on 14 October 2007.
*Based upon independent research conducted in July
2006.
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