KENDAL-born superbike rider James Ellison did not have the weekend he might have hoped for at the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.

Ellison's first race saw the superbike star, who rides for McAMS Yamaha, slide out of action on the third turn of the sixth lap.

Until that point he had been fighting at the front, riding in second place, closely behind RAF Reserves Kawasaki rider Jake Dixon near the beginning of the race.

Before he stopped, Ellison had been pushed down to fourth place by Honda Racing's Jason O'Halloran and Luke Mossey, of JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Ellison fought back a lap later at the Hairpin to pass O’Halloran and make it into third, but then slid out.

The second race saw Ellison reach the chequered flag, however he was pipped to the post by Dixon, who clinched pole position at the last gasp to claim the day with two wins.

The opening laps saw an closely fought battle between the leading group with Luke Mossey and Ellison exchanging blows five times in one lap as they vied for the advantage at the front.

Ellison held his place near the front for the whole of the race, however a final assault on the top spot from Dixon saw the McAMS Yamaha rider beaten into second place.