The British Talent Cup season kicked off at Donington Park before getting their first taste of Snetterton, and now it’s time for Silverstone – a very different challenge on a very different stage. A vast expanse of former airfield nestled in the Northamptonshire countryside, it’s long, challenging and very, very fast – as well as the host for MotoGP™ and one of the biggest spotlights of the British Talent Cup season. Who will tame the 18 apexes of the British behemoth?
Heading into Silverstone and the second half of the season it’s Thomas Strudwick at the top of the table. With two wins and three further podiums, his consistency has taken him 13 points clear of Rory Skinner – so Skinner will be pushing to cut that gap ASAP. Meanwhile Joshua Whatley sits in third and only another ten points back, but is yet to win a race. Can he join the honours list this weekend? There have been three winners – Strudwick, Skinner and Max Cook, who is fourth in the Championship – so far, and six different riders on the podium in six races.
It’s not just the race weekend that awaits the British Talent Cup at Silverstone, either. The Selection Event for 2019 will be taking place on Wednesday at the track ahead of the race weekend proper, where another host of prospective competitors will be put through their paces. Those chosen may then get the chance to join the Cup, with the final entrants for 2019 announced after the season finale in Valencia.
The prospective riders will be watching keenly this weekend, as will the MotoGP™ paddock. 50 points are up for grabs at Silverstone and there are still 300 to play for over the second half of the season, meaning the Cup is as open as ever. Will it be a name new on top, or will a repeat winner tame Silverstone Circuit? We’ll find out from the 24th to 26th August.