Tommy Hill earned a win at Oulton Park

Two podiums in three races puts Swan Yamaha rider in pole position to retain his title

Tommy Hill moved to the top of the MCE Insurance British Superbike standings after a Bank holiday triple-header at Oulton Park and – try as he might – simply could not find anything worth moaning about.

The Beckenham rider, 27, who was crowned BSB champion for the first time ever last year, could not do enough in the first two rounds of the season, which produced three races instead of four, to reach the top spot of the championship.

Hill hasn’t been far away though, with two second-place finishes last time out at Thruxton, while in the first race of three at Oulton Park – replacing the one cancelled at the season-opener at Brands Hatch – he indeed took victory.

The Swan Yamaha rider was one step shy of the podium in fourth in race two on Monday (won by Chris Walker on the Primo Kawasaki) before returning to it during his third and final outing – placing second to Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki), who as ever is acting as a fierce rival.

And while mentioning a water leak that initially affected his vision during the last race of the weekend, Hill – who now has a six-point lead over Josh Brookes at the top – wasn’t complaining in the slightest.

He said: “I think the leak was water and from the second or third lap I thought it was raining out there because my visor was getting covered in it.

“But that had nothing to do with the end of the race, I got used to the water fine and I cracked on and just got my head down.

“Unfortunately I was just losing a bit of corner entry, but it was a good result and it was a fantastic weekend – a first, second and a fourth – I can’t grumble at that.

“I am little bit disappointed to be beaten at the end but well done to Shane. When he passed me I knew I wouldn’t have had the grip to challenge him.

“I was still riding as hard as I could but, in fairness to Shane, he did the job and got the win but we now move onto next time and getting back on the podium.”

Hill compared his first win of the season during the first race of the weekend at Oulton Park to the race that won him the 2011 BSB title at Brands Hatch back in October.

On that occasion Hill beat John Hopkins to second and the title by 0.006 seconds.

However, having battled from the fifth row to the very front this time, he hinted this might just be better.

He added: “I know everyone talks about last year’s final race of the season, but for me this was one of the best races of my entire career – from the fifth row to the race win.

“Everyone wanted that win but I suppose I wanted it the most.”

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