Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland can now breathe a sigh of relief after he secured the sixth and final spot in the MCE British Superbike Showdown. It came very close to the wire between the Hull rider and his team-mate Jon Kirkham as to who would have a chance to challenge for the championship title. In the end it was Westmoreland who snatched that all important position after finishing both races in fifth and fourth.

A maiden Superbike podium still eludes the quiet rider but after starting from pole in both races and breaking the lap record twice in one day, Westmoreland no longer feels any pressure to succeed and is aiming for podiums in the final rounds, even after two difficult races today.

“In the first race I finished in fifth and it was tough. My start was poor but it was hard to see Jon finish behind me, and I was feeling down because I feel that I rode quite well. I do feel for Jon as we both deserve to be in the Showdown, but I wanted that so bad and I think it is the best I have ridden in Superbikes,” said Westmoreland, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the circuit.

“But it is a huge amount of pressure off, and I didn’t have any pressure on me but I felt it and I didn’t want to let it get to me but I wanted it so bad. I fully believe I should be in the Showdown. I have had three DNF’s that haven’t been my fault. I haven’t crashed out all year, I had one technical problem and two were other people’s accidents so I feel a bit robbed from that point of view but we have got the job done which is nice.

“Last year I finished seventh, but even if I didn’t get into the Showdown I have had a lot better year, and I am a lot better than I was last year. In the last couple of years it has been tough and when people don’t believe in you it is tough and I started to doubt myself. Last year I was in a team with Alex and that was tough as I was doing a good job, but he was winning races. But to be in the top six now is fantastic.”