DMC Panavto-Yamaha’s Kev Coghlan narrowly missed out on a podium finish during the final World Supersport race under the twilight skies of Qatar. The Scot ended the race in fifth, and also snatched fifth in the overall championship standings.

The race win eventually went to the newly crowned champ Michael Van Der Mark, finishing his season on an incredible high. Core PTR Honda’s Ratthapark Wilairot held on to second, and Reparto Corse’s Jules Cluzel finished on the final step of the rostrum.

It was Van Der Mark who dominated from the opening lap and was followed closely by Wilairot, Cluzel and Zanetti. CIA Insurance Honda’s Jack Kennedy was steadily making his way through the field and was up to tenth overall, but he experienced technical problems with smoke pouring out of his bike.

The Dubliner came to an abrupt stop on the straight on lap five, putting a premature end to his Supersport year. Elsewhere the Dutchman was certainly flying high and by lap nine had already set a new lap record of a 2’02.251, pulverising the previous time set by Andrew Pitt back in 2009 - only for Cluzel to top that with a 2'01.999.

With three laps remaining Coghlan pulled some extra speed out of his Yamaha and was up to fifth on lap twelve. But the Scot was not giving up on a podium place and a lap later tried to overtake Cluzel and Mahias to snatch third, going into the opening corner.

A rotation later the Perthshire lad tried a move in exactly the same place, and this time it stuck and he went up to third and a provisional rostrum finish. But he lost out on the straight to Mahias and Cluzel on the final lap, and was unable to really challenge again for third, and had to settle for fifth.

Rolfo, Pata Honda’s Lorenzo Zanetti, Sofuoglu, Tamburini and Roccoli completed the top ten. Pirelli National Superstock 600 rider Mason Law had a steady race and finished inside the points in 15th on board his Intermoto Ponyexpres backed Kawasaki.