Cameron Horsman struck back on Sunday at Silverstone, taking victory in Race 2 to equal Saturday winner Scott Ogden on points at the top of the table and make an early statement of intent for 2019. Lessons were learned after leading much of Race 1 and taking a podium on Saturday, with Horsman pitching it to perfection to defend his lead in Race 2 in the final section of the final lap - but it was as close as ever and victory was his by virtue of just 0.048 seconds. Jack Hart was the man menacing just behind, with Ogden completing the podium after once again proving a frontrunner throughout.
It was Ogden who took the holeshot from pole, once again seeming to get a slightly slower start than Fenton Seabright alongside him on the grid but ultimately emerging ahead and taking an early lead. Also similarly to Race 1, it was a freight train at the front as the veterans were able to pull a gap on the rookies and the squabble began. There was also some additional drama at the front as Charlie Atkins, starting on Row 2, jumped the start, and he had to head in for a ride through penalty.
That left a front group of 12 becoming 11, with Race 1 podium man Brian Hart then crashing out - rider ok - and Elliott Pinson pulling into the pits to make it a front freight train of nine. And Horsman was once again eager to lead after making good progress to the front once again, with Seabright the man slipping down in the group slightly - and Ogden and Jack Hart getting themselves into position as the final few laps dawned.
It was Horsman, Hart, Ogden over the line for the final lap and Hart attacked immediately into Turn 1, before Horsman hit back at the first opportunity. Jack Nixon then looked like he was going to try a multi-buy manoeuvre into Brooklands, but he couldn't quite make it stick as Hart was able to stay ahead and Horsman hung it round the outside to hang on to the lead. Ultimately, he'd manage to do just that to the line - but Hart was tucked in close behind round the final corner and it was incredibly close as the two blasted towards the chequered flag. 0.048 separated them over the line, just in favour of Horsman as he shut the door to avoid losing out to another pickpocket move on Sunday.
Just behind that duel for the win, Ogden had been able to get past Nixon and secure third, although the points haul for fourth is a valuable one for Nixon after he failed to score in Race 1. Charlie Farrer completed the top five to put him third overall in the standings by virtue of his consistency, just ahead of Irishman Rhys Irwin both on track in Race 2 and in the Championship.
Harvey Claridge made some gains on his Race 1 to take P7 on Sunday, beating Fenton Seabright after he faded slightly towards the end. Scott Swann was a few tenths off by the flag but took eighth, the last of the lead group. Jamie Davis took P10, ahead of Atkins' solid comeback after his ride through and jump start as he came home P11.
In the fight for top rookie it was once again Torin Collins who took top honours, taking twelfth and some solid points as he beat Corey Tinker by less than a tenth. Jamie Lyons wasn't too far off the two either and had been ahead at times during the race, and the second Irishman in the field took P14. Harry Leigh completed the points.
So in the points standings, it's perfect parity at the top after Round 1 with Ogden and Horsman both on 41 - but the former the Championship leader thanks to his pole position. Farrer is third and Irwin fourth, with Brian Hart leading Jack Hart just behind as both Harts had a DNF and a P2 across the course of the weekend. How will it change next time out? Another thriller of a weekend races round Donington Park at the end of May, with another 50 points up for grabs in Round 2.