British Superbike Champion: Two riders die in British Supersports Championship

Two riders died in a bicycle crash at the British Supersports Championships held in Alton Park on Monday.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, were fatally injured in a “major chain reaction” incident in the first lap of the race as the driver quit the first round.

The match was the third game of the weekend, which stopped on the first lap and series director Stuart Higgs later called the incident “severe and disastrous” as he announced the event had been cancelled.

In a statement Monday night, Motorsports Vision Racing (MSVR), which runs the Oulton Park tour, said another rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, suffered “significant injuries.”

New Zealander Richardson competed with the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki, while British rider Jenner competed with Rapid Honda.

“Owen Jenner, 21, was initially treated and then taken to the Circuit Medical Center, and despite further resuscitation of treatment, he died from a catastrophic head injury,” MSVR said.

“Shane Richardson, 29, was initially treated and then taken to the Circuit Medical Center and then transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries. He died before arriving.

“Tom Tunstall, 47, was initially treated on the track and was taken to the Circuit Medical Center. He was later transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital and suffered major back and abdominal injuries.”

The MSVR and Motorcycle Racing Control Board added that they “were looking at the full picture of the incident with the coroner and Cheshire Police”.

Drivers Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes and Morgan McLaren-Wood received minor injuries at the Touring Medical Center.

Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker and George Edwards were also involved in the accident, but were not injured.

A statement from Cheshire Police said: “The magistrate is investigating two people in multiple crashes in Alton Park this afternoon.

“After the collision, emergency services were called to the scene, causing two riders to be injured and another rider to be seriously injured.”

The Oulton Park event marks the beginning of the 2025 British Superbike season, with seven rounds set to be held in the UK ahead of three “showdown” matches.

The first meeting of the game took place Sunday with Bradley Ray winning, then Leon Haslam won on Monday's sprint for his first win since 2018.

The Super Sports Champion is a support class for the major British superbike series.