Northpoint Ekerold Honda completed round three of the British Supersport Championship at Thruxton today, Monday 17th April, with a strong showing. The fast 3.291 km circuit delivered close and exciting racing with riders Cal Crutchlow and Leon Camier finishing in third and fourth positions respectively - the top four riders less than a second apart at the chequered flag.

Both riders got a good start to the twenty lap race completing lap one with Leon in second and Cal in third with some brave manoeuvres on some of the fastest parts of the circuit. The three way battle for second continued throughout the race which saw both Northpoint Ekerold Honda riders battle with Ducati rider Stuart Easton. The riders went on to catch race leader Eugene Laverty, who lost his two second lead, to embark on an eight wheeler battle for first.

Leon passed team-mate Cal at the last chicane on lap seven to continue a battle with both Easton and Laverty for the top position. Cal fought with Easton while Leon got caught up with backmarkers on lap eleven and dropped back to fourth. Leon rode a hard exciting race setting the best laptime of 1:17.756 but despite his best efforts was unable to gain his first podium finish of the year. The 19 year old reigning Supersport champion is disappointed not to have had a rostrum finish today but has a solid and fighting fourth which puts him right up in the points aboard the Honda CBR600RR. Camier is showing more strength at every round on the Pirelli shod bike and with a pole position start this weekend it is only a matter of time before he takes his place in the top three.

Cal continues his efforts to maintain his championship lead and battled to the final flag to cross the line with his third consecutive podium finish of the season so far. The 20 year old was looking for another win to capitalise on his top result last weekend at Donington but is pleased to have finished on the podium. Cal, who lined up on the grid in fourth, hopes to continue with this form at the next round at Oulton Park.

Leon said; “I'm disappointed and frustrated that I didn't end up on the podium today. Despite a sore hand from the crash in qualifying yesterday I was pushing hard and the bike felt good. It's positive to know that this is supposedly one of our worst circuits and yet we were still in the battle for the lead. Everything is progressing in the right direction and we have a lot of momentum going into the next race at Oulton.”

Cal said; “We knew coming here would be a tough round. The team made the best of what we had and we are still leading the championship. I thoroughly enjoyed the race; it was a really good battle and I'm pleased to have got another podium finish. The team worked very hard all weekend to set the bike up and I'm now really looking forward to Oulton Park.”

Team Principal Gary Ekerold said; “We always knew Thruxton would be a difficult race for us. Traditionally our package hasn't worked as well here relative to our challengers as other circuits so to come away with a third and a fourth and still be leading the championship is a strong indication of what we are capable of achieving.”

Northpoint Ekerold Honda's next outing is at the British Supersport round at Oulton Park on the 1st May.