Honda's Xavi Fores was pushed out of a Bennetts British Superbike Showdown spot by team-mate Andrew Irwin at Thruxton, but the Spaniard is ready to come out fighting at Oulton Park this weekend.

The former WorldSBK star has bagged four podium finishes so far this season and arrives at the triple-header trailing Irwin by just five points. Earlier in the season, Fores finished outside of the points on his first visit to the challenging Cheshire circuit, but on his second visit, he is determined to overhaulIrwin and Peter Hickman who currently sit ahead of him in the standings.

“Yes, being close to the Showdown is important for me in my first season in BSB, but honestly at this point I expected to be inside the top six. But there have been some tracks that were not easy for me and our bike and we lost important points," said Fores.

Oulton Park was a difficult one for me last time but definitely the bike has changed a lot compared to our previous race there so I’m really looking forward to the triple header there.

"It’s definitely the target for me this year; from the beginning of season I was focused on the Showdown but I’m conscious that it is going to be hard because is really close between Taz, Andrew, Peter and me. I’ll do my best as always.”

Fores has one advantage on Saturday as Irwin has to start from the back of the grid in race one after his collision with Scott Redding at Oulton.