ETCHILHAMPTON rider Tommy Bridewell clinched his first MCE British Superbikes Championship win since last season as he triumphed in the opening race of Bank Holiday Monday's round at Oulton Park.

Tyco BMW man Bridewell held off the challenge of Josh Brookes - his teammate at the Milwaukee Yamaha team last season - to wrap up his first win since the Cadwell Park round last August.

Pole man Brookes was in front early on but Bridewell then pushed ahead staying ahead of Brookes, Shane Byrne, Stuart Easton and Ryuichi Kiyonari .

Despite Brookes piling the pressure on, Bridewell held on.

He told britishsuperbike.com: "It makes a change to be at the front as normally I am sat behind these other guys and struggling to hold on.

"All credit to the Tyco BMW team as the bike was working phenomenally. We had struggled in the first two rounds as we had to run the hard tyre and I knew where I was losing the time. We ran the zero today and I knew the lap times we could do and I just raced my lap timer in that one.

"I was watching my board, Josh's board, Shakey's (Byrne) and Stuart's too, thinking right I know what is going on behind me. It was a matter of trying to save smooth and conserve the tyre, but that all went out the window so it was sideways and holding on for dear life really.

"I keep my feet on the floor but I think that is one of the strongest races I have ever run. If it is good enough again for race two then great because we have had a good go at it."

Bridewell fared less well in the second race, moving through the field to take the lead again before crashing out unhurt.

Trowbridge rider Victor Cox was 21st in the opening race and 23rd in the second on his Morello Racing Kawasaki.

Round four of the championship returns to Snetterton in Norfolk on June 19/20/21.