JAMES Ellison notched up a podium finish in his second race despite weather conditions conspiring against him at the beginning of the second weekend of the British Superbike Championships at Thruxton, Hampshire.

Weather and standing water on the track meant that the qualifying session for the first race of the weekend had to be cancelled, meaning that times established during free practice were the ones used for the grid positions in race one.

But Ellison and his team were working on the electronics on the Kendal man’s bike during free practice, meaning that he was forced to start the race 17th on the grid.

But that proved no problem for Ellison as he rose through the field to finish sixth in the first race.

“I was happy with that finish and I knew we would go better in the race,” Ellison said.

“I had a lot of trust in the bike and you’ve got to happy with sixth considering where we had started.”

Ellison started on the front row for the second race on account of his lap times, and a determined ride saw him battle with Shane Byrne and Alex Lowes before claiming third as he added another podium to his account for the season.

Plenty of crashes meant the safety car was deployed quite a few times in the race and a red flag ended the second event prematurely on account of the incidents, but Ellison said he felt good on the bike before the race was stopped with him getting the third step on the podium.

“We lowered the back of the bike to get more grip and we ended up with the fastest lap of the weekend “We definitely had the pace and I would have loved the opportunity to push for the win with Shaky (Shane Byrne) and Alex Lowes, but I’m still happy with third and a podium credit.”

The results keep Ellison fourth in the overall championship.

With another fortnight to come before his next races at Oulton Park, Cheshire, Ellison says he will spend the next few weeks working out at Pride Gym in Kendal, as well as take part in mountain biking and testing at Cadwell Park this weekend to get himself and his bike in the best possible shape for the next round of races on the first May Bank Holiday.