Fixi Suzuki rider Leon Camier's charge towards a certain second podium of the 2012 World Superbike season in race two at Portimao was brought to shuddering halt just two laps from home when his gearbox failed.

The former BSB Champion was all over the rear wheel of third-placed Max Biaggi when the 'box gave up the ghost, causing him to run off the track and then misbehaved again so he had no option but to pit in.

"The bike worked really well in the morning warm-up, which took place in fully wet conditions, so I was quite happy about riding the bike in the same conditions in race one. When the race was restarted, the track was not completely wet and it began to dry out in some places. The settings we had just didn’t work as well as we hoped and I had to get round as best I could," said Camier.

“Fortunately, race two was dry. I attacked right from the start and moved up the field. It took a bit of time to get past Guintoli, but once I had overtaken him I set about Biaggi. It was a close battle - close enough for us to make contact - and I really believed I could find a way past, make it stick and take third spot.

"I had a few problems with the gearbox during the race and then the bike locked up on me with two laps to go and I had to take to the run-off. I tried to keep going, but it happened a couple of times more and nearly spat me off, so I had no choice but to pull out. I’m happy though because the bike has come on a lot in the recent months and I now know we can fight with the best.”