Guintoli finishes with top-fives at Oulton Park BSB

Sylvain Guintoli rode to two further fighting fifth place finishes today at the final round of the British Superbikes Championship at Oulton Park. Added to his fifth from yesterday, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider amassed enough points from the weekend to lift himself from 11th to eighth in the final championship standings.

Just as importantly, Guintoli recovered much of his former speed and so today was able to battle with the front runners.

Sylvain Guintoli: "That first race today was definitely a highlight of the weekend. I had a good fight with Tommy Hill and found a good rhythm. I was very pleased with my lap times as well, I was a lot quicker today and a lot closer to the lap times of the winner.

"For race two we made some changes to the set-up, but they didn't work out. While I was able to lap at a similar pace to the first race I couldn't push when I needed to and this cost me fourth place right at the end of the race.

"It was a bonus to gain a few places in the championship today to finish eighth in the final standings, especially having missed so many rounds. I feel I've come away from the weekend having rediscovered my rhythm and this will help when we come to start testing for next season."

Jack Valentine, team manager: "In that first race we saw a glimpse of the old Sylvain. He showed his true determination and if he hadn't got held up for a while there, he may well have been able to go with the lead pack.

"We had been hoping to build on that ride, so we were a little disappointed with the result in the second race. At mid race we were gifted fourth place when Stuart Easton crashed, so it was upsetting we couldn't defend the position, as Sylvain explained.

"Now the job is to refocus on 2010. With our plans for a two-man team we've got a lot of work ahead of us even before we start testing. As ever we're looking forward to the challenge and we're keen to again prove just how competitive the Suzuki GSX-R1000 is."

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli, Oulton Park

Race two result:
1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha)
2. Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +0.080s
3. James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) +0.743s
4. Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +1.953s
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +4.042s
6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +7.721s
7. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +8.092s
8. Michael Rutter (Bathams Ducati) +12.441s
9. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +15.175s
10. Glen Richards (HM Plant Honda) +15.328s

Race three result:
1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha)
2. Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +3.734s
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +10.904s
4. Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +15.398s
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +15.707s
6. Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +20.009s
7. Chris Walker (Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha) +20.967s
8. Glen Richards (HM Plant Honda) +24.402s
9. Tommy Bridewell (Team NB Suzuki) +25.830s
10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +26.012s

Final championship standings:
1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) 549.5
2. James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) 413
3. Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) 374
4. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 188
5. Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 170
8. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 136