Leon Camier has extended his advantage at the top of the ViSK.com British Superbike Championship standings after stalking his way back into contention at Snetterton.

As is becoming increasingly regular this season, Camier suffered a terrible start to run at the bottom end of the top ten by the conclusion of the opening lap, only to gradually pick off his rivals and eventually deny Stuart Easton a maiden victory.

Indeed, pole sitter Camier dropped four positions at the start when the race was red flagged after just three laps following a series of accidents at Sear, caused by fluid on the circuit. Of those caught out, Michael Rutter, Alistair Fagan, Tom Tunstall and Matt Bond, only Tunstall would fail to restart.

Nonetheless, with grid positions determined by the end of lap two, Easton now started on pole position, ahead of James Ellison, Josh Brookes and Camier. However, Camier would fall a further four positions on this getaway, with Easton assuming his place in the lead, ahead of Ellison, Brookes, Chris Walker and Ian Lowry.

There was less joy for Easton's team-mate Karl Harris though after he ran wide at turn one slipped back. Honda's disappointment was soon compounded when Glen Richards – starting at the back after going off the circuit on the first restart – retired with mechanical problems.

Nonetheless, while Hydrex and HM Plant's other representatives were battling hard at the front, Easton in the lead and Brookes in third, Ellison made his move for the lead on lap four when Easton made an error at the Esses.

Easton got his own back on lap eight, however, the Honda's strength in the straight line seeing him and Ellison swap positions twice before Easton managed to make it stick through the Bombhole. Pulling off an almost identical move behind was Camier, now up to third position after removing Brookes from third position.

With team-mate Ellison next on his list, the pair would promptly embark on an entertaining dual as neither rider would give another an inch. Ellison wouldn't be able to contain his charging Airwaves Yamaha counterpart though, Camier eventually making it through on lap ten.

Setting his sights immediately on Easton, the Hydrex Honda rider was doing a fine job of keeping Camier at bay over the ensuing laps, even re-passing the R1 when he slid through at the Bombhole.