Bridewell breaks through with maiden BSB podium

Tommy Bridewell is a British Superbike podium winner for the first time in his career after he claimed an unexpected third place finish in the Brands Hatch opener.

The youngster had shown flashes of pace on the ex-Ryuichi Kiyonari Honda CBR10000RR in the build up to race day, but he surpassed this with a charge in the second-half of the opening race.

Scything up the order to catch the third place Kawasaki of Stuart Easton during the closing stages, Bridewell was rewarded for his efforts when his rival made a minor error on the final corner of the final lap, allowing the Tyco Honda to slip up the inside and snatch the position.

A maiden podium finish for himself and Tyco Honda - formerly Quay Garage Honda -, Bridewell was thrilled with the landmark result.

"I was really pleased with the first race and to get mine and the team's first outright BSB podium was fantastic and reward for all the hard work we have put in."

However, Bridewell's hopes of producing a similarly strong result in race two ended abruptly with a crash at Surtees. Though not injured, Bridewell was disappointed with the end to an otherwise magnificent day.

"In race two, I got a bad start and we were running really close to the white line along the back straight all weekend. With a couple of laps to go, I just went a little way over the white line and as soon as I touched the brake I went straight down on the grass. I'm really disappointed as I really needed those points but we have made good progress this weekend."