Leon Camier claimed his first World Superbike Championship podium finish of the year, during Sunday’s race at the Nurburgring in Germany.

It was also a first podium finish of the season for the FIXI Crescent Suzuki team with two rounds of the championship remaining.

Ashford’s Camier, who finished fifth in race one, battled from 12th position at the end of lap one to take third, eventually finishing just 0.2 seconds behind second place man Eugene Laverty.

Camier said: “I got a horrible start in race two and once again had to work my socks off getting through the pack.

“I got up to third place after 13 laps and passed Laverty two laps later, but a bit of a moment in the final chicane, one lap from the end, let Laverty back through and although I gave it everything I had, he just held me off.”

Camier nearly high-sided at the final chicane to let Laverty in for a second place finish but the British rider was just pleased to have a podium finish.

“I’m very happy – it’s been a long time,” he said.

“The bike felt pretty good. I’m really looking forward to the next couple of races and hope the team can continue to make progress.”

Camier may not have picked up a podium finish in race one, but the performance was no less impressive, having started from the back of the grid after a technical problem forced him to the pits before the 20-lap race.

A good start saw him make up six places by the end of lap one. He finished the race closing in on fourth. Team manager Jack Valentine said: “Race one was a bit of a drama but the boys did a great job to get Leon back into the race. He started from the back of the grid and then put in a mega performance.

“Leon made a terrible start (in race two) and once again had to work his way through the field. To finish third was a tremendous result, but if he had made a good start, who knows how good the result could’ve been.”