Sam Lowes returned to the podium in the Superpole Race at Donington Park, before crashing out of second in Race Two.

For the second time in his World Superbike career, Sam Lowes secured a podium in the Superpole Race, but this time at his home round at Donington Park.

The British rider finished in third place on Sunday morning behind Toprak Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega.

Lowes had been on a consistent run of top ten finishes, but had not featured on the podium since Assen.

"I was really, really happy to get the podium in the Superpole Race," Lowes told WorldSBK.com.

"I did a really good race, I chose the SC0 tyre, which was probably the right call in those conditions, it is very similar.

"I dug in, made a couple of moves at the start, and I tried to stay as close to Bulega as I could. I had a good pace until the end, and I really enjoyed it.

"Alvaro was coming, but I had a good pace, so I was really happy after being taken down in the first lap on Saturday.

"I felt good, it has been amazing, there have been a lot of fans, and I really felt that support.

"We have been doing better across the last few races, with fifth and sixth places which are good and nearly there, but a podium means a lot to me."

In the final race of the weekend, Lowes crashed from second place at Turn One while following Toprak Razgatlioglu.

"I was quite nervous for Race Two," he explained.

"My shoulder was quite tired after yesterday, so I knew I needed to have a good first few laps and then relax into my rhythm. I chose the SC0 tyre, which I thought the other guys would use as well.

"At the start, I think Bulega got boxed in at Turn One, so I was behind Toprak. He is riding at another level at the moment. He broke deep into Turn One and drew me in a bit, and I lost the front.

"That was a mistake on my part, but it is only my second race crash of the year along with Portimao, the other crashes have been caused by someone else.

"It looks bad because of yesterday, but I am happy with the weekend. I have been fast in a lot of conditions, and I am really finding a feeling with the bike and a base setting with the bike.

"Last year we finished 16th here in Race Two, in dry conditions, so it shows the step we have made in a year."