Jason O’Halloran netted his first Bennetts British Superbike podium of the season at Assen yesterday after a year beset with injury.

O’Halloran was the fastest man in winter testing aboard the McAMS Yamaha and looked set to be a title contender but a long and torturous shoulder injury sustained at Snetterton put paid to his chances.

But the nearly-fit Australian showed his actual pace in the first race in Holland, taking third behind series leader Scott Redding and Josh Brookes.

“I’m really happy to have been up on the podium in race one. Everything worked for us in that race, I felt really comfortable and did my own thing and got our first trophy for the McAMS Yamaha team which I’m really pleased with as the guys have worked so hard this year,” said the Wollongong rider.

“The second race was a little more difficult, I don’t know if we had an issue with the tyre or something as I struggled for grip from the early stages. Nonetheless it’s been a good day, so we’ll go to Donington and see what we can do.”