By Glenn LeSanto
James Ellison led the European Superstock race from start to finish in Lausitzring today. The defending Champion was already nearly a second ahead of the pack by the end of the first lap and, despite a determined effort by rival Walter ‘Torto’ Tortoroglio, Ellison extended his lead lap by lap.

Torto managed to break away from a fierce battle for second and third in his attempt to catch Ellison. Both riders were riding Suzuki GSX-R1000s. This left Daniel Oliver on his RSV Aprilia, Mark Heckles on a Honda CBR929RR, Marty Nutt and Benny Jerzenbeck both on a GSX-R1000s to fight over the final podium position – and fight they did! As the race reached its final stages Heckles managed to pull away to take a comfortable third place behind winner Ellison and second place finisher Tortoroglio. Behind them there was drama at the end of the race when Nutt highsided. Oliver was right in his wheel tracks and stood his bike up, running straight into the stricken GSX-R of Nutt. If Oliver had kept his line, he may have avoided joining Nutt on the tarmac and scored the highest finish of the season for himself and the Spanish-entered Aprilia RSV.

The result means Ellison extended his lead over Tortoroglio in the championship to 10 points. Nutt’s crash and subsequent DNF allowed Jerzenbeck to move up past him into third place in the points.

European Superstock Championship
Lausitzring, Germany – June 10th
Race result

Rider, nationality, manufacturer, race time

1. James Ellison, GBR, Suzuki, 24:40.943
2. Walter Tortoroglio, ITA, Suzuki, 24:47.593
3. Mark Heckles, GBR, Honda, 24:53.152
4. Benny Jerzenbeck, GER, Suzuki, 24:57.548
5. Giacomo Romanelli, ITA, Suzuki, 25:02.382
6. Gianluca Vizziello, ITA, Yamaha, 25:06.476
7. Dario Tosolini, ITA, Ducati, 25:07.011
8. Lorenzo Alfonsi, ITA, Ducati, 25:07.089
9. Andy Notman, GBR, Suzuki, 25:09.296
10. Markus Wegscheider, ITA, Suzuki, 25:14.216

Championship standings
Rider, Points

1. Ellison, 95
2. Tortoroglio, 85
3. Jerzenbeck, 43
4. Heckles, 42
5. Tosolini, 36
6. Alfonsi, 34
7. Nutt, 31
8. Wegscheider, 27
9. Vizziello, 20
10. Oliver, 19