Tommy Bridewell became the first rider this season to beat Gary Mason in a straight fight for honours in the Mirror.co.uk British Superbike Cup Championship as he rode to a superb pair of ninth place finishes at Knockhill.

Having marked his return to competition with a victory at Snetterton, Bridewell went one better at Knockhill by claiming a double triumph in the Cup competition.

Although he benefitted from Mason's retirement in the opening race, Bridewell's fine performances were put into context during the second race as he tussled with the runaway championship leader up to the chequered flag.

Snatching the win, and an overall ninth position, on the final lap, Bridewell's results are even more significant given he finished as the top Suzuki representative on a machine that is now touching four-years-old.

"We only decided to do Knockhill on the back of our Snetterton results and I'm pleased we did as it has been another great meeting. My bike was good today and to be dicing with the likes of works Suzuki riders Michael Rutter and Atsu Watanabe speaks volumes for the job my team has done on the bike.

“My leg was hurting in race two but all I could hear was old Ginger on the back telling me to push harder and that's exactly what I did. To finish inside the top ten and to win both Cup races is awesome and just goes to show what you can do with a great desire on a budget.

With no guarantee of how long the team will continue to compete, Bridewell is hoping he has made an impression to some of the 'top teams'.

“One or two of these top teams may be needing a rider after this weekend and I'm most certainly available so perhaps the phone will ring and you never know."

Bridewell is now fifth in the Cup standings while he has also already surpassed factory-backed Suzuki rider Watanabe on the overall leader board after just four races.