It was a successful, yet emotional weekend for the TAG Racing Honda team at the final round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, with Matt Truelove grabbing his third podium of the season during Sunday’s final race. It would also be the final full-time race of Shaun Winfield’s career, rounding out a 20 year stay in the sport.
The weekend got off a solid start for all four riders throughout the free practice sessions, with the team making the appropriate changes to make them feel comfortable on track ahead of qualifying and their individual races.
Qualifying would prove a little trickier for the team, with both Fraser and Jaimie failing to progress through to Q2, with Rogers crashing out heavily mid-session, however he thankfully walked away from the accident, meaning they would line up for the first race that afternoon from 19th and 24th respectively.
Matt and Shaun would experience contrasting emotions in their session, with Truelove grabbing sixth on the grid for race one of three, with Winfield lining up in 21st.
Just a few hours later, it would be their turn to race in the opening 12-lapper of the weekend, and off the line both made good starts and began to battle for position. However, at half-race distance Shaun retired from the race due to a machine issue, leaving Matt to battle out.
Truelove swapped and changed places with Josh Owens and Declan Connell throughout the second half of the race, and the Lincolnshire-man got the better of them on the final lap to take the flag in fourth.
The second Superstock race then took place just three hours later, and in a cut short seven-lap battle due to an accident, both riders took the flag, with Matt achieving sixth and Shaun 19th.
It would then be the turn of Fraser and Jaimie to battle it out over 20-laps, and from the lights both made solid starts to the race with the pair holding their grid slots after the opening lap. Rogers then got his head down and began to pick up places, working his way into 13th as the flag came out, collecting vital Championship points. However, due to his on-going shoulder injury Jaimie would retire from the race at half race distance.
Sunday would soon come and after over night changes to the machines, all four riders headed into the final day of the season full of confidence.
The Bennetts BSB sprint race would see Fraser get underway from 19th, with Jaimie 24th on the grid. From the lights the pair made good starts and began to push the limit, with Fraser posting his fastest lap of the weekend in the process as he worked his into points at the flag, taking 14th. Jaimie would also battle hard, over coming the pain from his shoulder to take 19th as the race ended.
Prior to start of the final Superstock race, the heavens opened and rain began to fall over the Kent circuit, but that didn’t worry Matt and Shaun and off the line they made great starts, with Truelove ending the opening lap inside the top three.
He quickly made his way into second and began to hunt down the race leader, expertly managing the conditions. However, try as he might he just couldn’t catch the man ahead and he would settle for second at the flag, taking his third podium of the season and securing fourth in the Championship.
Shaun, in his final race of his career, would also manage the conditions like a true professional, holding ninth place at half distance and quickly began to battle in a group of three. The trio would swap and change places until the final lap, with the 32-year-old crossing the line to take the flag in 11th, with the whole team cheering him on from pit-wall.
Conditions remained the same for the final 20-lap race of the 2025 Bennetts BSB season, with Fraser starting 13th and Van Sikkelerus 23rd by virtue of their lap times in the earlier sprint race. From the lights, once again the duo made their customary strong starts, and after the opening set of laps Fraser sat in fourth with Jaimie 19th.
Rogers sat comfortably at the rear of the four-way battle for the lead, but by half race distance, he got caught out by the conditions as he looked to make a pass on Rory Skinner and crashed unhurt out of the race.
Jaimie would once again masterfully race through the tricky conditions, making up places as he went to eventually cross the line in 13th, collecting vital Championship points, to finish off his year on a high.
Fraser Rogers ended the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship in 15th place with 129 points, with team mate Jaimie Van Sikkelerus 21st on 13. Matt Truelove rounded out 2025 in fourth place of the Pirelli National Superstock Championship on 272, with Shaun Winfield 12th on 91.
Fraser Rogers: “I didn’t want to end this season the way we have, but I said I’d give it a good go in the final race and I certainly did that, but unfortunatley I got caught out by the conditions. It’s frustrating because I felt really good in the wet and I had my eyes on the podium, we certainly had the pace for it.
“But anyway, looking at the year as a whole, it’s been fantastic, we’ve had a podium, a front row and I’ve scored the largest amount of points in my superbike career, so I have to look at the positives and take them into the long winter.
“Finally, I just want to thank the team for their hard work and belief in me, I love being a part of the family and I can’t wait to come back in 2026 and achieve more together.”
Jaimie Van Sikkelerus: “It’s been a tough weekend in track, especially with my injury, but I rode as hard as I could so to come away with points I am pleased with. It’s nice to end the season inside the top 15.
“This year hasn’t been fantastic, but as a team we have stuck together and worked hard to get the best out of myself and the package. I want to thank the whole TAG Racing team for their support and love, my sponsors for sticking by me during the tough times and all my fans, it really does mean a lot. Bring on 2026.”
Matt Truelove: “I’m absolutely over the moon to end the season on a high like we have this weekend, to get another podium really is the cherry on top of what has been a strong year for us. It’s been a good weekend, we’ve worked hard across each session to improve the package and the team put everything that had into it. Sunday’s final race was extremely fun, we were close to the win but I just didn’t have enough so I had to settle for second.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what next year brings. Once again, thanks to everyone for all their hard work and all my sponsors and family for their support, it’s certainly been a year to remember.”
Shaun Winfield: “This weekend has been extremely emotional, more than I imagined. Racing is in my blood, so announcing my retirement from British Superbikes has not been an easy decision. My infinite thanks to the team for all the incredible memories we have had together and for standing by me in this decision whilst I take the time to focus on my health and my family. I also want to say thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years, believed in me and cheered me on from track side.”
Team manager Gary Winfield: “It’s been a challenging but ultimately rewarding weekend for us, to round the year out on the podium is fantastic, and testament to the effort that everyone has put in, not just this weekend but over the year. Results-wise it’s probably been out best season for many years, and I’m proud of everyone for how hard they’ve worked to get us to this point.
“On a personal note, it was tough to see how emotional Shaun was this weekend, with it being his last weekend in full-time racing. I’m proud of him, he puts in the maximum effort and never gives in.
“Looking ahead to 2026, our plans are moving extremely quick and we’re looking forward to announcing them in the near future. I want to thank all our sponsors and partners for their continued support this season, we never take it for granted and we look forward to working with them again next year.”
