There were mixed fortunes for Holmfirth’s championship chasing duo at the seventh round of the British Superbikes Championship at Oulton Park.

Both Joe Irving and James lodge headed to Cheshire with high hopes of keeping themselves in contention for their respective title.

However, while Redline KTM rider Irving came away with maximum points from his victory in the Motul Motostar Championship, for Moto-Breakers Kawasaki racer James Lodge there was another tough outing where a ninth placed finish dropped him to fifth in the National Superstock 600 rankings.

“It was a great weekend and I am just looking to keeping it going,” said Irving, who backed up his win at Thruxton with success at Oulton Park which saw him close the gap on Motostar rankings leader Jordan Weaving to 14 points with five rounds remaining.

Lodge now trails Superstock 600 leader Kyle Ryde by 58 points and will perhaps have to wait another season to add another title to the two British 125cc crowns he has to his name.

“The weekend didn’t get to a great start as I had gearbox issues,” said Lodge.

“What is usually a 45 minute job turned into a nine hour job as we had to grind and chisel a nut off – so it was hats off to the team for sorting that, but again it was just another problem.

“I qualified eighth and I did a good time, but a lot of riders are on a quick pace so it was tough out there.

“In the race I got a decent start, but unfortunately going into Hizzy’s chicane another rider decided he was going to out brake five people and was clearly never going to make the corner – on the receiving end of this was me,

Moto-Breakers Kawasaki rider James Lodge (No7) from Holmfirth in action at Oulton Park 2014

“I was just turning into the chicane when he came steaming through, forcing me to sit up and I had to virtually park the bike to stay off the grass.

“It cost me five places and dropped me three seconds off the leading pack and it took me seven laps to get to the front of my group.

“When I got to the front there was a five second gap to the next group in front, a group of the riders battling for sixth, but I closed the gap to half a second when the chequered flag went out – another two laps and I’m sure I would have got a sixth place!”

James Pickford was back in action in the Superstock 600 and the 22-year-old from High Flatts collected another finish coming home 25th on his CPE Motorsport Kawasaki.

The riders are next due in action at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park on Sunday, August 25.

Irving is hosting a fundraiser at the Toad and Tatie on Woodhead Road, Holmfirth, tomorrow (7pm) and everyone is welcome.