Shand signs off with 'brilliant' Macau podium.

2005 British Superstock race winner Les Shand completed his racing season on a high by joining Michael Rutter and John McGuinness on Saturday's Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix podium.

Despite being only his second appearance at the tricky 3.8mile Guia circuit, the AIM Racing Yamaha rider - who started from fifth on the grid - was soon able to overhaul a fast starting Guy Martin and set about closing down Ian Lougher, while Rutter and McGuinness eased away up front.

Having latched onto the rear wheel of his Welsh rival, Shand and Lougher circulated in close formation until the ninth of the fifteen laps, when Les found a way through. Once past, the R1 rider exploited the clear track ahead to finish almost six-seconds clear of Lougher and ten-seconds from McGuinness.

"I'm really happy and so, so wanted that rostrum!" grinned Shand after taking his first ever International podium. "Before the race I kept telling myself that I needed to put in 15 good laps and although the first one was a bit average, the rest went according to plan. I got my head down and once I'd managed to shake off Ian Lougher it was a smooth ride - I even had enough time to pull a big wheelie over the finish line!"

The result crowned an impressive year of pure road racing for the 28-year old and adds to his credible sixth overall in the British Superstock Championship.

"It's a brilliant end to the year and I'd like to thank everyone that has supported me through the season," he said. "I'm looking forward to a few weeks rest before concentrating on preparations for the 2006 season and, hopefully, this result will have put me firmly in the shop window."