FHO BMW's Peter Hickman was denied at least one deserved podium at the Knockhill Bennetts British Superbike round after mechanical issues and clashes ultimately left him outside the top five all weekend.

A strong performance from the Louth rider throughout practice and qualifying saw him claim a second row start in fourth place, just 0.229s adrift of the pole-setting lap. Hickmanwas in the battle for a podium finish in the opening race before a technical problem on the final lap forced him to retire.

Hickman fought back strongly in both of the races on Sunday; setting a strong pace to be within the leading group before ending race two in seventh place, following a stunning save at turn one after an off track moment dropped him down the order.

In the final race of the weekend, Hickman was again battling for a podium finish, running in second place earlier in the race before contact on the 12th lap at the Hairpin unsettled his rhythm and dropped him down the field, ending the race in eighth position.

“It was a disappointing weekend really as we definitely showed that we had more than the results show. We had the pace for the podium, which was obviously good, but it just wasn’t meant to be at Knockhill and that is a big shame for the whole FHO Racing BMW team," said Hickman.  

"Everything that could have gone against us went against us, but I feel that we deserved better, but this is how racing goes sometimes. We have to take the positives that we were fast and competitive from the start and if it had gone differently, we would have definitely been fighting for the podium again.

"We will regroup and come back stronger at Brands Hatch and I just want to thank everyone for all their support – it has been amazing.”