Four down, four to go – and back to where he was five weeks prior. Markus Reiterberger (alpha Racing -Van Zon-BMW) flew back to the top of the podium at the Prosecco DOC UK Round, and with it managed to open another 10-point gap at the top of the European Superstock 1000 Championship standings. It’s the same gap the German had after the Assen round, and after a small hiccup at Imola, he’s back on course to winning his first ever STK1000 championship.

Reiterberger has now led 36 out of 56 laps this season, an astonishing number from the former WorldSBK rider. However, the number means little considering that his most immediate pursuer Roberto Tamburini (Berclaz Racing Team) has not led one lap this season, yet is still within touching distance of Reiterberger’s lead. It’s not over until the last flag drops – and the German would be wise to remain just as focused and in form.

His performance at Donington was the comeback Reiterberger needed after a frustrating Imola experience: “The first few laps of the race were difficult, as Max Scheib was stubbornly close to me, but we were able to keep the pace. The team has been working in the right direction all weekend and we can all be really proud with the result. Everyone has done a perfect job”.

Reiterberger also wanted to dedicate this particular victory to a special person: “I’m now championship leader again with 10 points lead – a kind of half-time champion. That was an important step after the Italian round in Imola. This is also my first victory in Donington, which I’d like to dedicate to Waldi [Ralf Waldmann]. He made an impressive victory here in 2000 and I know how much this meant to him. I think he is also happy for us, wherever he is right now”.

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