Camier's dream start

Rookie Leon Camier had a dream start to life in the British Superbike championship with two podiums from his second and third places in the first two races.

The 20-year-old was in the top four throughout the weekend, including practice sessions and failed to let the intimidation of the older and more experienced riders faze him in front of the 42,000 spectators at Brands Hatch.

The Bike Animal Honda rider, who stepped up from supersport over the winter with the likes of Cal Crutchlow, almost came to blows with double race winner Gregorio Lavilla as their fairings clashed at Druids.

And the 2005 British Supersport champion said: “The clash was my own fault. I was in front but making things up as I went along. I made a mistake and Greg just went for it.

“I didn’t expect that at all. When I got in front in race one I thought, ‘what’s going on?’ I saw 1.3s lead on my board but then I got a bit giddy and started making mistakes. Then it was plus nought and I thought, ‘here we go.’

And Camier, who has only ridden a superbike twice in the 2005 and 2006 Suzuka eight-hour race before this weekend in race conditions added: “I’m over the moon with the weekend. The safety car (in race two) was frustrating because until then everything was perfect but as soon as we restarted I knew the left side of my tyre had cooled too much and when Johnny Rea came by me I just had to relax, get my head down and chase him. I’m still learning and picked up so much following Greg and Johnny this weekend.