Reynolds keeps challenge alive

Reynolds is now just six points behind Hislop

John Reynolds turned in a fabulous performance at Knockhill to claim his third winning double of the British Superbike campaign and close the gap on series leader Steve Hislop to just six points.

The Red Bull Ducati rider mastered the difficult wet conditions and demanding circuit to dominate the day's racing and silence the 20,000 crowd, who were cheering loudest for locals Hislop and Niall Mackenzie.

"I realize I've probably upset about 90% of the crowd by thrashing their home favourite but for me it just makes victory taste all that bit sweeter," said a delighted Reynolds.

"It was basically a case of getting my head down, keeping it smooth and not making any mistakes."

Series leader Hislop makes no secret of his dislike of the tight, 1.3-mile Fife circuit - and he struggled in the qualifying sessions, managing only a second row start while Reynolds took his third pole of the season.

But that counted for little as Hislop made the perfect get-away to lead the opening 28-lapper, but at one-third distance Reynolds, who had closed menacingly twice before, nipped ahead at the chicane, with his team-mate Sean Emmett also powering through into second place.

Mackenzie was given a great reception

Emmett, enjoying his best result of the season, frustrated Hislop's pursuit, with the Scot running wide with two laps to go and having to settle for third place as Reynolds took the victory.

In the second race, the 1992 champion was ahead from the off, gradually pulling clear of a pack depleted by the first lap tangle of James Haydon and John Crawford.

In the early stages Emmett again was running second, but Hislop made it past him on the sixth lap, but unable to make any ground on the impressive Reynolds.

"I arrived here determined not to lose any more points to Steve - this was great, the ideal weekend," said Reynolds.

Hislop described his performances as "damage limitation" but added: "John deserved his double - he found a groove in the track and I just couldn't catch him."

The biggest cheers of the day were reserved for retiring hero Mackenzie.

The 40-year-old from Dunblane hung up his leathers at the end of last season but was persuaded to make a one-off racing farewell at the circuit where his illustrious career began two decades earlier - and he did not disappoint, taking fifth and fourth places aboard his Clarion Suzuki.