Dickies Rider of the Day Recap
With another successful British Superbike (BSB) and Dickies British Supersport championship now drawn to a close, riders will be taking a long and deserved rest before preparing for another tough and testing series, starting in March 2018.
Along with the many breathtaking and unforgettable moments throughout the season, another exciting occasion was the crowning of the Dickies Rider of the Day.
As was custom with Superbike weekend tradition, the Dickies Rider of the Day prize was awarded to the rider who shone most throughout a race weekend. Nominated by Eurosport’s James Whitham, five riders would always be selected – four from the Superbike and one from the Supersport class respectively – before the watching public voted for their favourite on Twitter.
Subsequently, the winner would be presented with a Dickies Stetson in the pit-lane during the television broadcast.
Dickies Rider of the Day Winners
In the BSB Championship, Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne won the hat four times during the season, starting off with a win at Oulton Park in May after coming second and first in Race One and Two respectively. Shakey then followed this up with two first-place finishes at Snetterton in July and another double victory at Brands Hatch GP in the same month.
His fourth Dickies Stetson was won in style when the London-born rider completed his third double of the series on the final weekend at Brands Hatch. This win also saw Shakey claim a remarkable sixth British Superbike championship.
The first recipient of the Dickies Rider of the Day award – and another double winner – went to JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s LeonHaslam, who kicked off the 2017 BSB series with a dominant display at Donington Park. He clawed his way back following an earlymistake to overtake Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha’s Josh Brookes with six laps remaining. Haslam was also rewarded with a magnum of Moët et Chandon for his impressive display.
Two other riders claimed doubles throughout the championship, and, in turn, took home the Stetson after impressing the audience. JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Luke Mossey and RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki’s Jake Dixon claimed their awards at BrandsHatch and Knockhill respectively.
A maiden win at Thruxton for Peter Hickman of Smiths Racing BMW, saw him survive a four-way tussle for the lead. Hickman achieved second and first place finishes respectively in what proved to be frantic races. Smiths Racing BMW’s Lee Jackson finishedan amazing second place at Cadwell Park, which resulted in a first podium position for the Lincolnshire-based rider with the audience showing huge support for their hometown hero.
Where as, Honda Racing UK’s Dan Linfoot, claimed the Stetson after winning the second race at Silverstone in September. Amid heavy rain and appalling conditions, which caused an extremely slippery surface, only 10 riders stayed on track before the red flag was waved after 10 laps, with Linfoot leading the pack at the time.
This was then succeeded by round 10 of the series, and the winner of the Stetson was awarded to rookie Brad Ray of BuildbaseSuzuki who also managed to achieve his first career podium in the top class at Oulton Park in September.
Rounding off the Rider of the Day winners at the BSB Championship was Frenchman and Bennetts Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli who put in a superb performance at Assen in the final lap to secure his first BSB victory of the series.
Dickies continues to support and supply the BSB Championships as associate sponsors and official workwear supplier. In 2018 the brand will once again supply Racesafe marshals, the ‘Dickies Orange Army’, with high-visibility, premium quality coveralls, in addition to media vests, technical and paramedic coveralls for the BSB championship officials. Dickies has proudly been providing workwear for hard working men and women since 1922.