Liam Camier took to the track for the World Superbike Championship season-opener in Australia despite suffering glandular fever and finished 13th and sixth

Leon Camier admitted he surprised even himself after battling glandular fever to get his second full World Superbike season off to a solid start in Australia.

Camier finished 13th and sixth at Phillip Island, but it looked as if the 24-year-old from Ashford wouldn’t take to the grid after he was diagnosed with glandular fever 24 hours before the curtain was due to raise on the new campaign.

However, not content in playing a watching brief Down Under, Camier pulled his leathers on to qualify in 17th before improving four places in race one.

The Aprilia Alitalia rider put his illness to one side again in the second race to finish an impressive sixth and take home 13 points.

“I’m honestly shocked by my results, especially the second race,” said Camier.

“It’s obviously really frustrating to be starting the season like this but I had to just get on with the job and it’s only one round of 13.

“I have never felt so ill and wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to finish, so to come away just outside the top 10 in the championship standings isn’t so bad.”

Spaniard Carlos Checa laid down an early marker for the title after claiming back-to-back victories, while Camier’s team-mate and reigning champion, Max Biaggi, was twice runner-up.

Camier is now hoping to be fighting fit for round two at Donington Park on March 27.

“I can’t really explain just how tired I’m feeling now,” he added. “Luckily, we’ve got four weeks before the round at Donington Park to try and get myself back to normal.”

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