Pensavalle's podium goes up in a cloud of smoke.

There was bitter disappointment for M.P.Racing's Michael Pensavalle at Mallory Park on Sunday in the Bennetts British Superbike Cup as he failed to finish both races.

Practice and qualifying went well and he qualified in 31st place. The team made some set-up changes to the bike for Sunday morning warm-up which resulted in better handling and Michael was very pleased to be 23rd fastest in the warm up.

He made a good start in the first race and was well up in the field from his grid position when the race was stopped after HM Plant Honda riding Ryuichi Kiyonari's crash. He made another good start in the rerun and was going well until his rear tyre let go at Gerards on lap 13, depositing him in the gravel. He was unhurt and the team worked hard to repair the bike ready for race two.

Michael made another good start and was well up in the pack again when this race was also stopped for a crash. He was riding well again in the restart when going down Devil's Elbow his engine blew an oil seal and he retired in a cloud of smoke. The race was stopped in order to clean the track, but he was unable to run in the second restart.

"I was gutted and very disappointed not to finish in either race at Mallory Park. In the second race restart I was running fourth in the Cup, ready to pass the two riders in front of me, which would have given me a podium finish," he commented. "I couldn't believe it when there was a massive cloud of smoke and the bike was sliding about down the straight. Now I just want to concentrate on the next round at Oulton Park."