ANDOVER’S Jake Archer secured the runners up spot in this season’s Hel Performance Motostar British Championship at The Cathedral of Speed in Assen.

The British Superbike event has become a firm favourite on the Dutch circuits calendar and thousands of fans turned up.

The continuing battle between Andover ace Archer and his team mate Tom Booth Amos was one of the highlights.

Archer should not be disappointed with second place after showing a real consistency in his performances, scoring points at every race, including three wins and 12 second places.

Booth Amos got right down to business on Friday, destroying the Motostar lap record and dominating both free practice sessions. In the second he smashed his personal best by two seconds to set a new record of 1min 44.427sec with team mate Archer in P2.

In qualifying, Booth Amos was looking comfortable out in front so it would be down to Archer to come up with something spectacular to stay in the title fight.

Race one saw the new champion outclassed the field to take his 16th win of the season ahead of Archer yet again in second with Ed Best third.

Booth Amos put on a master show to dent his team mate’s hopes and almost guarantee the title providing he could secure another win in race two the following day.

It was Archer who got the hole shot and led lap one but as the duo approached the Geert Timmer Bocht chicane, Booth Amos nipped passed his rival and took off into the distance.

He finished 12.3 seconds ahead of Archer and Best was 40 seconds adrift in third.

Race two early on Sunday morning saw Booth Amos again take the win from Archer, Walid Soppe completing the podium in front of his home fans.

Archer was quick to pay tribute to his team mate and said: “Tom’s been phenomenal this season so congratulations to him, I couldn’t have done anymore so will have to take the positives and look forward to 2018.

“Maybe next year I will be the one celebrating. I’m going to Brands in a fortnight to enjoy my weekend.

“I’m still runner up in the British Championship and that’s the second time I’ve achieved that. I’d like to thank Ryan and the team, plus my family and friends for all their support, and especially all the sponsors who have been amazing.”

The final round of The British Superbike Championship is at Brands Hatch from October 13 to 15.