Ashford's Leon Camier bagged an unlikely World Superbike podium at round 11 at Imola – then revealed the effort at delivering the result left him exhausted.

Camier (pictured) has struggled all year long with an illness which leaves him physically drained after races and, while the other riders hit the gym almost immediately post race, he has to rest up.

The debilitating illness has not seen him miss any rounds as yet but in reality he has effectively been racing with one arm tied behind his back due to the problem.

Despite that ongoing trouble, as well as depressingly regular bike issues, Camier’s third place in race two on Sunday was his fourth taste of the podium champagne this season.

The performance was all the more unlikely as the 25-year-old had looked off-colour for most of the weekend – qualifying in tenth before ending the first race, won by Jonathan Rea, in 15th after an early-race error.

But Camier – also defying his season-long issue with starts – made sure his weekend ended on the most impressive of highs, profiting from the retirement of runaway race leader Rea to be bumped up to the top three.

However, while delighted with his efforts in the Italian sunshine, Aprilia Alitalia rider Camier admitted he wasn’t in any shape to get started on any wild parties.

“We’ve had a really up and down season and it’s good to get a podium for Aprilia,” said Camier – who sits sixth in the overall standings with 171 points.

“It’s an absolutely awesome feeling. These races and the season in general have been truly tiring, I’m exhausted.

“It’s a shame about the first race, we could have done a lot better without that mistake, and I’ve got to feel sorry for Jonny Rea in the second race – he deserved to come away with a double win.”

WSB races will be shown on British Eurosport, with all European rounds in HD. British Eurosport – Sky channel 410 & Virgin Media 521. Eurosport HD is on Sky 412 & Virgin Media 522. Watch races live online athttp://www.eurosportplayer.co.uk/