BTC: Evan Belford and Mounsey prepare to go head-to-head at Donington Park

September 28, 2023 September 28, 2023

The R&G British Talent Cup heads to Donington Park this weekend for the final round of the Championship for a title decider. Championship positions are yet to be decided ahead of a thrilling weekend.

Two riders battle at the front

Two riders can win the Championship this weekend, Evan Belford (City Lifting / RS Racing) and Sullivan Mounsey (Wilson Racing / Maddison Media) separated by 37 points. A total of 50 points are up for grabs with Mounsey coming off the back of four consecutive podiums. Amanuel Brinton (Kovara Projects/RS Racing) is outside Championship reach (+53 points).

Belford had the opportunity to wrap up the title at Oulton Park, but Mounsey kept his chances alive for the final round. Belford can win the Championship in the first race of the weekend if he wins and Mounsey finishes fifth or below. It is a tough task with both riders winning five races each this year.

The weather forecast for this weekend remains dry, with no surprises in conditions for the rivals.

The R&G British Talent Cup raced at Donington Park earlier in the season, racing in East Midlands for round two. In the first visit, Sullivan Mounsey won the opening race of the weekend and was in contention in race two. Belford managed to claim two podium positions which would be enough to win if history repeats itself.

Donington Park is a circuit which produces fantastic racing in the R&G British Talent Cup – including a historic finish in 2022. VisionTrack Academy teammates, John Garness and Carter Brown battled in race two and finished 0.000 apart. It was the first dead heat in British Superbikes paddock in 27 years.

Riders throughout the field are hoping to impress

The battle behind the front two riders is fierce with Amanuel Brinton now under threat from Harley McCabe (McCabe Racing). Brinton is 34 points ahead of McCabe and in turn, is ahead of Brown. Julian Correa is hoping to jump inside the top five places in the standings and is just 11 points behind Brown.

Some of these riders are hoping to add to their CV with the Red Bull Rookies selection event beginning next week. So far, Evan Belford, Harley McCabe, Amanuel Brinton, Rya Frost, Filip Surowiak, and Ollie Walker are some of the riders who will partake in the event.

This season Rhys Stephenson and Eddie O’Shea raced for the United Kingdom in the Red Bull Rookies. The 2021 British Talent Cup Champion, Casey O’Gorman also competed in the Cup this season and battled for podiums and wins throughout the year.

This weekend will also be an opportunity for any riders who are looking towards moving to a different team or Championship next season. Harrison Dessoy (Microlise Cresswell Racing / Eastern Garage) is beginning to gain momentum after a tough 2023. Dessoy won the opening race on the first visit to Donington Park in May.