Smiths BMW’s Peter Hickman closed in on a Bennetts British Superbike Showdown spot at Snetterton despite having only a stock motor in his S1000RR and still struggling to get it stopped.

Hickman moved to seventh in the championship standings courtesy of seventh and fifth places, and is now only 18 points behind Xavi Fores in sixth with his two favourite tracks still to come - Thruxton and Cadwell Park.

“Overall, it’s been a strong weekend and after being in the top three for most of practice, it was a real shame I made a small mistake in qualifying as it cost me a second row start at least,” said Hickman.

“We’re still having an issue with getting the bike stopped and we’re still running a stock engine so it was hard going in both races and although seventh in race one was a good effort, I knew I could improve upon it in race two.

“I was further back on the grid, but I made a good start and am really pleased to have finished fifth and also close in a little bit on Fores in sixth. Snetterton’s never been one of my best circuits but the next two rounds are Thruxton and Cadwell, places I really enjoy and go well at so I’m looking to take full advantage and claw back the deficit I currently have.”