Leon Camier is playing down his chances of a podium finish in this weekend’s World Superbike races at Magny-Cours despite posting the second quickest lap this afternoon.

Camier set a best lap of 1’38.046s in this afternoon’s free practice two at the French track, putting him in second spot as Brits locked-out the top five positions.

But the MV Agusta rider seemed to doubt he would have the pace to run those types of times over a race distance, and believes he could struggle this weekend.

“I think to race at that pace is not quite realistic to be honest. We weren’t far away in Germany but I think to be looking to do that here unless people have problems, for us it’s really difficult to be there,” he said.

“We made a big setting change for the second session and I wasn’t too sure but we put a tyre in at the end and all of a sudden the lap times came and quite consistently as well which was good but we’ll see what happens.

“Obviously the weather is meant to play a big part in the weekend and there’s a lot of fast guys. For us to race at that pace is obviously a different situation. Guys that can be strong on the straights especially in the first few laps when they’ve got grip can use the power so that puts us on the back foot a little bit.”

Camier knows his best chance will come later in the races, and admits he needs to be on top form to capitalise if others begin to drop off.

“Towards the end of the race we’re always strong we work really hard with electronics and myself with the riding to try and be strong at the end of the race and normally we are so I’ve just got to get on with it, see if I can be towards the front maybe at the end of the race but we’ll see, we’ll see what happens.”