WILTSHIRE racer Tommy Bridewell moved to the top of the British Superbikes Championship standings with a double podium finish in the latest round at Brands Hatch at the weekend, writes TIM CRISP.

Etchilhampton’s Bridewell finished third then second in round four of the championship as fellow Ducati rider Josh Brookes took a pair of victories.

The podium places made it six from nine races this season and lift Bridewell to the head of the standings on 145 points, 14 ahead of Scott Redding.

Speaking after the second race where Oxford Racing’s Bridewell made a superb pass on Redding to take second place, the 30-year-old was content with a runners-up spot, although wins are is ultimate goal to strengthen his quest to lift the title come the end of the season.

“I am really happy with the way I rode. I started from seventh and made a good start, but I did have to make a few passes,” said Bridewell.

“I could see Josh and Scott were getting away and it took me two or three laps to drag them back in.

“I then saw Josh start going, so I knew I had to get past Scott quickly. Once I did that, I had to get my head down to try to drag Josh back.

“It is very hard racing the identical bike because the strengths of his bike are the strengths of mine, and the weaknesses are the same too.

“When you’re both riding on the absolute limit, it’s hard to find that extra little bit without making a mistake.

“At this time of the year, I am not happy to accept second but I will accept second. At the end of the day, it’s the long game so we will take it.

“We will go to Knockhill and try to get some wins there.”

The championship resumes at Knockhill on weekend of June 28-30.