Bennetts British Superbike series leader Tommy Bridewell has admitted to being unsure of how his Panigale V4R will perform at the tight and twisty Knockhill track this weekend but is sure that qualifying well will be vital.

Bridewell has had a fast and consistent season so far, notching up podiums left, right and centre but suspects the Kawasakis might be a fly in the podium ointment in Scotland.

“I didn’t expect to be leading the championship going to Knockhill, but it has been so positive so far this season and we have been up there fighting for podiums and wins. I thought the new bike would be strong but we are where we are because we have been consistent and that makes the difference,” said Bridewell.

If I am honest, I feel a bit unsure about Knockhill and how the Ducati will be there; ultimately every circuit we have been to so far have had different characteristics, but we haven’t ridden the bike on such a short, intense circuit yet.

“Every round so far we have gone to feeling confident of fighting for wins but we will have to see what the Ducati goes like there.

“In the past, Kawasaki have been really strong there and our bikes are very different so I think qualifying will play a massive part because it is that kind of circuit.

“We have been so close but never quite close enough to the win so far! It’s always about winning; at Brands Hatch I was giving it everything.

“It certainly isn’t through the lack of trying that we haven’t won one yet this year! It’s the podium points that matter and so I have to be finishing in the top three every race. Anything outside of that is almost irrelevant because they will be what is important in the Showdown. So if I am say in fourth on the final lap you can bet that I will be going for third that’s for sure.”