Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes failed to get on the podium for the first time this season, after crashing out of the opening MCE British Superbike race and finishing in fourth in race two at Knockhill on Sunday. The Derby rider has struggled at the Scottish circuit in the past so was pleased to have come away with some points in race two, but has branded the crash at the Hairpin as “unlucky”.

Lowes has dropped to third overall in the championship standings, after finding himself in the lead before the races yesterday, but the rider said he "used his head" and managed to get over the line in the final race, to get some much needed points.

In race one the Lincolnshire lad was up to third overall, but a high side at the Hairpin ended his race ambitions but before that he did find that he was struggling in the final sectors of the tough Scottish track.

“In the first race I was going good, but was struggling in the last sector compared to Byrne and Brookes and the crash was just unlucky,” said Lowes.

“We made some changes for the second race but they didn’t work as well as we had hoped, but if you can’t be third you may as well be fourth because points are important for the championship, especially here at a circuit where I have struggled in the past. It is never nice to drop back in the standings, but I used my head as points are more important than having another crash."