The ultra-fast Assen circuit in northern Holland was kind to me last year, netting me my first podium, and in Superpole for last weekend’s round three of the World Superbike series, I was feeling quite comfortable despite still suffering the after-effects of glandular fever.

It wasn’t a great start to the weekend.

We had a couple of problems which meant we weren’t able to string more than a few laps together at a time.

In Superpole I managed to qualify a frustrating ninth, after I messed up on the first corner of the second Superpole qualifier with a qualifying tyre and by the end of the lap the tyre was beyond giving me any further grip, putting me on the third row for the race on Sunday.

Disaster struck me on the grid waiting for the light to go out for the first race as my Alitalia Aprilia RSV gearbox wouldn’t go into neutral and I couldn’t make the start.

Getting back to the garage I did go out on my second bike, but for me race one was over.

Team-mate Max Biaggi (Alitalia Aprilia) ended the first race in second behind Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) and Carlos Checa slotted into third.

From ninth on the grid, I dropped to 12th at the start of Race 2 leaving me with a lot of ground to make up over the next 22 laps.

Initial leader Nori Haga on a privateer Pata Aprilia took the lead but he was being hotly pursued by my team-mate Max Biaggi and series leader Carlos Checa aboard his Althea Ducati.

By lap four Checa was in command, although Biaggi wasn’t giving up the fight. Max (Biaggi) did manage to pass Carlos, but on last lap Checa passed Max to take the flag with Jonathan Rae third.

I managed to get up to fifth by lap seven but unfortunately by this time the leaders had already built a substantial gap and, even though I set the fastest lap of the race, I wasn’t able to get close enough to make any more passes.

With six laps to go I went to fourth where I eventually finished.

All things considered, I’m leaving Assen convinced that I can do well if I keep improving and luck stays on my side!

The next race is in Italy at the fantastically-fast Monza circuit on May 8.

To find out more about Leon Camier and how you can help support a local rider, visit www.leon-camier.net