MSS Colchester Kawasaki's Gary Mason had to contend with arm-pump in the opening British Superbike race at Knockhill which meant he had to settle for fourth after running inside the top three at the beginning.

Mason, who has a new crew chief in the shape of two-time World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt, qualified on the front row for the first time this year and looked to be on for at least a podium in race one, but it wasn't to be.

“After such a good qualifying I was really looking forward to a dry race day at Knockhill. I managed to hold second place for nearly half the first race but John Hopkins overtook me and when Shane Byrne came past he was so strong I had to settle for fourth as I started to suffer from arm pump which meant I couldn’t challenge him," said Mason.

"I got pushed wide at the start of the second race but the safety car incidents allowed me to regain position and sixth is a good result considering the conditions.”