Salus Ducati Rider Sam Middlemas from Hinckley, Leicestershire was in action at the British Superbike Finale this past weekend at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in Kent.

Middlemas managed to qualify in fifth position in dry conditions which would see him start from the second row for the first race of the weekend.  Come race day however, the heavens had opened and rain had fallen on the legendary Brands Hatch circuit all morning.  Wet settings and tyres were fitted and Sam went out for Race One.

After a great start, Sam managed to make two positions up by turn two to see him sitting in third.  After lap one Sam was back to fifth where he started but still with the lead group.  He managed to get back through to fourth and then get past championship leader, Leon Morris, to reach third by lap three.  Chasing up to second placed Phil Atkinson and the leader Sean Neary within a couple of corners by lap four.  The Salus Ducati rider then began to eke out with a two second lead over the next two, but a near crash at Paddock Hill bend caused Sam to lose time and Neary was able to pass Middlemas at beginning of lap seven.

Onto the last lap and less than a second covered the top three and Neary led Middlemas from champion elect Leon Morris with the rest of the pack a few seconds behind the leaders.  Morris made a move on Middlemas around the back of the circuit only for Middlemas to cut back under Morris and regain second place.  Going into the final turn Morris dived under Middlemas and just managed to beat him to the line, which saw the Leicestershire based rider take his first BSB podium of the season in third place.  With the top three covered by under a second it was hailed ‘the race of the championship’.

After the champagne had settled Middlemas (pictured on the right) had the following to say, “I had been visualising being stood on the podium all weekend and I’m ecstatic that all the hard work which I have put in this season has paid off. It was a little disappointing to miss the win by such a small margin but I really couldn’t have tried any harder than I did!  Earlier in the race I knew that I had the pace and once I had the lead I felt really comfortable.  It’s a shame I had a big moment out there else I may have been on that top step today but we’ll have to wait until next season now.  I really need to thank my sponsors Hinckley based Salus Approved Inspectors and Paul Morris in particular for all their support this season.  I also need to thank Fred Burbidge and Albany Sheds for all there much appreciated support this year also.  Without these guys I know I wouldn’t be stood up here today – I can’t wait for the 2017 season to start!”