Solid weekend boosts Norfolk race ace Vickers' British Superbike Showdown challenge, despite big qualifying crash

A heavy qualifying crash dented the podium hopes of Swaffham's RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki team during the latest British Superbike Championship meeting at Cadwell Park.

But, despite that, Thetford race ace Ryan Vickers' hopes of forcing his way into the championship picture are very much alive after three points finishes at the Lincolnshire circuit this weekend.

The 21-year-old had been among the pacesetters in practice, topping the timesheets during Friday's second session.

But a big off at the Gooseneck in qualifying on Saturday left him eighth on the grid for the first of the weekend's three races - after his bike had been rebuilt.

He admitted he was feeling "sore" during a pre-race interview, but maintained that position throughout the 14 lap outing.

In doing so, he held off the challenges of Rory Skinner, one of his main rivals for a place in the end of season Showdown and defending champion Josh Brookes.

Vickers was third fastest in this morning's warm-up, which took place in damp conditions, before recording ninth and 10th placed finishes in the day's two races.

Those results have taken him up to 10th in the championship standings, just 19 points off the eighth and final qualification position for the Showdown, where the title will be decided during the final three meetings.

There are six races left before those positions are settled, starting with three on home soil for Vickers at Snetterton in two weeks' time.

The top eight riders in the standings after the meeting at Silverstone on September 11 and 12 will have their points reset and additional points added reflecting the podium credits they have achieved throughout the year to that point.

Elsewhere, in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship class, Vickers' team-mate Lewis Rollo finished eighth in today's race and remains eighth in the standings.