British Superbike meeting at Oulton Park cancelled after ‘catastrophic' 11-rider crash in Supersport race
The accident happened on the first lap of the British Supersport race, resulting in an immediate red flag.
BSB Series and Race Director Stuart Higgs said the remainder of the May Bank Holiday meeting – the opening round of the 2025 championship – had been called off due to the 'severity' of the crash.
The decision was taken after racing had been initially suspended.
'There was a severe and catastrophic incident coming off Turn 1 at the start of the British Supersport race,' Higgs told broadcaster TNT Sports.
'There were 11 riders involved, which naturally led to an immediate red flag and full medical response given the severity of the incident.
'The medical response is still technically ongoing and as a result of that, we have confirmed that the event is now cancelled and there will be no more racing today.'
A statement issued shortly afterwards by event organisers MSVR (MotorSport Racing Vision) said: 'At the start of the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park, exiting turn one on the first lap there was a major chain reaction incident involving 11 riders. The race was immediately stopped and medical services attended.
'Due to the extent of the incident and following medical intervention which is ongoing, it will not be possible to continue the event and therefore the remainder of the race event is cancelled.'
MSVR said a further statement would be issued 'in due course'.
The final BSB race of the meeting did not take place.
Northern Ireland's Glenn Irwin finished as the runner-up earlier in the afternoon in the 12-lap Sprint race.
Irwin started from second place on the front row of the grid but lost a few places on the opening lap.
As he did in Sunday's race, the Hager PBM Ducati rider worked his way through and began to chase down leaders Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) and Leon Haslam.
Irwin, who finished third overall in the standings last season, squeezed past Ray – Sunday's opening race winner – on the final lap but was unable to prevent former champion Haslam taking the win on the Moto Rapido Ducati.
'First of all, Leon really deserves that victory,' said Irwin, who was speaking before the incident in the Supersport race.
'He done well to bridge Brad's first-lap attack – I think we knew that would be the plan of the Yamaha.
'I had no rear brake the whole race and between the two chicanes, I was losing so much. Even trying to get the bike to stop on corner entry we use the rear brake a lot now, so it was tough.
'We adapted and started to come strong. Hat's off to the team and after Saturday we definitely would've taken two seconds at this stage.'
Irwin also claimed the runner-up spot in the opening race on Sunday after starting from 14th place following a spill in qualifying.
BSB rookie Scott Swann finished 14th in the Sprint race on the Send My Bag by IWR Honda.
In the National Superstock 1000 race, David Allingham (SMS Nicholl Oils BMW) was denied a winning start to the season when he was pipped on the final lap by Luke Mossey (Milenco by Padgett's Honda).
The second round of the British Superbike Championship takes place prior to the Isle of Man TT at Donington Park from May 16-18.
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