Nikki Coates began his bid for the 2026 BMW F 900 R Cup title in fine fashion as a pair of race wins during the Donington Park season opener earned him an early championship lead.
Having pushed last year’s champion Barry Burrell all the way en route to third in the final 2025 standings, Coates came out swinging as the one-make BMW series got its season underway around the Leicestershire circuit.
Having signalled intentions with a clear victory during Heat 1 on the LDC BMW by Frimley Pits Racing F 900 R, Coates would eventually cross the line almost four seconds clear of Kieran Smith in second.
It would be a taste of things to come for Coates as he escaped the opposition to come home more than two seconds ahead of Josh Corner (Chasin The Racing Podcast) and Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep by Bathams) who completed the podium.
After finishing second and third to Coates in their heat, Kieran Smith (GP Titan Tech by Bathams) and Thomas Strudwick (GiBi Racing) rounded out the top five, ahead of ex-BSB and MotoGP rider James Ellison in sixth position.
The 2026 BMW F 900 R Cup will comprise of nine rounds (two heats, one Main Race) in support of the wider British Superbike Championship series, with the title-winner crowned at the Brands Hatch GP finale on 16-18 October.
With BMW making a concerted effort to demonstrate the abilities of the 895cc sports naked on the road by keeping racing upgrades to a minimum upon transitioning to the track, the 2026 F 900 R Cup has encouraged a sizeable entry-list, all on identical 105hp machinery.
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