RAF Regulars and Reserve rider Jake Dixon's British Superbike title hopes suffered a blow last weekend at the Cathedral of Speed, Assen in Holland.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Russell chases Michael Tustin in the Ducati TriOptions Cup. Picture: Barry ClayMichael Russell chases Michael Tustin in the Ducati TriOptions Cup. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)

Round 11 had started well for Dixon as he took pole position and put the fastest ever BSB lap in at the circuit.

When the lights went out Dixon made a flying start to grab the holeshot but as they went into Strubben Tarran Mackenzie had grabbed the lead with Leon Haslam in third and Peter Hickman closing in fast to take Haslam.

Haslam soon struck back at Hickman and took Dixon with just a few laps to go to take the lead. Going into the chicane to start the last lap Dixon grabbed second from Mackenzie but it was Haslam who took the win and edged closer to the title.

Race two saw Hickman take the lead followed by Dixon who was then relegated to third by Richard Cooper but it was red flagged on the second lap when Dan Linfoot went down coming out of the chicane and his bike caught fire taking out Tommy Bridewell whose bike was also engulfed in the flames.

Eastern Daily Press: Simon Gilbert and Eamon Mulholland slot into second place. Picture: Barry ClaySimon Gilbert and Eamon Mulholland slot into second place. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)

When the race restarted it wasn't long before Dixon's motor cried enough and he watched his title chances evaporate as Haslam took the win and only needs one podium at Brands Hatch to take the title.

In the sidecar races the draperRacing pairing of Simon Gilbert and Eamon Mulholland put their outfit in 11th on the grid but with one of Gilbert's lightning starts they were up to seventh before the end of lap one. They briefly got up to sixth before eventually finished race one in seventh, which put them on the second row for Sunday's race.

In race two another fast start saw them initially in second by the end of lap one but the red flag came out when they were in fourth, fighting for a podium.

In the rerun they finished fourth, taking another 13 points and moved to seventh in the title chase. True Heroes Racing's Michael Russell had a points scoring ride in the Ducati Cup but in the first sidecar race spun out and Shaun Parker came out of it winded and with bruised ribs.