Ashford's Leon Camier rode to his best ever World Superbike finish in America – but admits he will have to work twice as hard from now on to match it.

The 23-year-old (pictured) was on the pace from the off at Utah’s Miller Motorsports Park but could only qualify eighth as Spaniard Carlos Checa took poll.

However Camier’s race pace was always there and he could have finished race one in third had tyre issues not prompted him to lose ground on Noriyuki Haga and end fourth.

There were no such problems in race two though as the Aprilia Alitalia Racing rider made the most of Checa’s second successive failure to roar home in second.

Camier’s previous best came in the form of third at Assen during round four but despite upgrading his best to second he insists podium finishes won’t become any easier to come by.

“We go to Misano in San Marino next time and I don’t know if I can get another podium next time out,” said Camier – who saw his Aprilia teammate Max Biaggi cruise to a double win.

“The second race was hard, Cal Crutchlow who ended up third was pushing hard and Max had that little bit more pace at the beginning of the race.

“As soon as he took the lead he controlled the race and found that bit more, it was unfortunate that Carlos had to pull out but that put me into second and I have to say thanks to the team for getting us there.

“We struggled in the first race – with a bit of a front tyre problem and that hasn’t happened all season so it was a bit of a shock.

“We changed the tyre in the second race and it seemed to be much better and we are getting stronger and stronger at every meet and we are eradicating all these issues now.”

Camier’s 33-point haul in America puts him eighth in the standings with 115 – 142 behind new championship leader and teammate Biaggi.

World Superbike Championship races will be broadcast on Eurosport, with the European rounds also available in High Definition. Eurosport Sky 410 & Virgin Media 521. Eurosport HD is on Sky 412 and Virgin Media 522.