A sixth podium of the season at Snetterton at the weekend helped secure Tommy Bridewell’s Showdown position in this year’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

It’s the third successive time the Oxford Products Ducati rider has made the end of year decider, and sixth in total, and although there’s plenty of work to do in the final races, his third place in the second race of the weekend again shows he’ll have a major part to play.

“Getting a podium is always positive and it could and, maybe, should have been two podiums had it not been for my mistake in the Sprint race,” Bridewell said referring to when he hit the kill switch on the Panigale just after half race distance when running second.

“We were running strong in the Sprint race when I hit the kill switch coming out the chicane and that was a real shame; it’s something I’ve never done before.”

The Wiltshire rider put that behind him in Sunday’s first race to take a strong third place and although he couldn’t replicate that in the final race, all thoughts now turn to the Showdown which gets underway at Oulton Park in just under two weeks’ time, a circuit where Bridewell has enjoyed success in the past.

“It’s a big tick for both the rider and team to make it into the Showdown and I’m proud of how I’ve ridden this year. I’ve extracted the maximum out of the bike every weekend. It’s not going to be easy at Oulton and the Yamahas have some key strengths, primarily with edge grip but they are beatable.

“We have strengths too though so it’s about maximising those at the final three rounds, starting at Oulton. It’s a strong circuit for me and been a happy hunting ground in the past so I’m going there in optimistic mood,” he said.

“I’ve won races there previously and I have no other view ahead of next weekend apart than going there to win all three races. Like I say, that’s not going to be easy but if I’m to have any hopes of winning the championship my mindset must be to aim for the treble.”