Leon Camier extended his lead in the superbike championships

by Andrew Gidley

Leon Camier increased his lead at the top of the 2009 British Superbike Championship to 28 points with victory in the opening race at Donington Park on Sunday.

The Ashford-based Airwaves Yamaha rider shrugged off the effects of a cold to lead home team-mate James Ellison in the team’s first one-two of the year, seven seconds ahead of the rest, but finished 12th second time out after technical problems dropped him down to 25th at one stage.

However, impressive passing saw him improve his position enough to clinch four valuable championship points, with Ellison celebrating his first victory.

Camier said: “I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent and the races were tough. I didn’t get great starts in either so I knew, I had to really push to get in front.

"Race One went very much to plan, and I was really pleased to get another win for the team.

“The second race seemed to be going the same way until the bike stopped. We are not sure what happened and the guys in the workshop have been working around the clock since the weekend to try and cure the problem.”

Camier heads to nearby Thruxton this weekend hoping to continue his good form.