McConnell wins British supersport opener

Australian Billy McConnell has claimed the British Supersport Championship race win of 2009 after a titanic battle with fellow Yamaha rider Dan Linfoot at Brands Hatch.

McConnell and Linfoot were swapping the lead throughout the race, with the pair leaning on each other at the corners, in a bid to take the opening spoils of the season. However, in the closing stages of the race Honda's Steve Plater made a move on Linfoot on the run to Druids to seize second place.

"We had a good qualifying session and then I was really ready for the race today," McConnell said. "I need to thank the whole of the MAP Raceways Yamaha team for their hard work to put me here today. It was a tough race with Dan but that is what Supersport is like and I expect more of the same at (the next round at) Oulton Park."

In the superbike class, Aussie expatriate Glen Richards made a sizzling debut for HM Plant Honda, finishing second and fifth in the two 30-lap races.

Richards fought a lone hand for HM, as his Aussie teammate Josh Brookes didn't compete after running into visa problems.

Jason O'Halloran (Honda), making his full-time debut in the British title, was eighth and 12th.

The races were won by former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki) and Leon Camier (Yamaha).

Round two is at Oulton Park from May 2-4.

For full results and standings, click here.