Plater claimed his first British Superbike podium finish since 2005

Woodhall Spa's Steve Plater claimed a podium finish in the opening round of the British Superbike Championships at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday.

Plater, who was deputising for HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes, took third in race two after earlier sliding off at Druids bend while leading race one.

He admitted: "To lose the front end when I was leading is gutting. I was actually trying not to push too hard."

Race victories went to Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli and GSE Yamaha's Leon Camier.

Glen Richards, on the second Louth-prepared HM Plant Honda, took second and fifth in the two races, while Alford's Peter Hickman was 21st and 23rd on the Ultimate Racing Yamaha.

Plater was standing in for Brookes after the Australian was denied entry to the UK because of problems with his visa.

The Lincolnshire racer also finished on the podium for HM Plant Honda in the supersport race, coming home second to MAP Raceways Yamaha's Billy McConnell.

Lincoln rider Sam Lowes was 10th on the Astro Honda, but Boston's Ben Wilson retired because of mechanical problems with his Gearlink Kawasaki while running in fifth place.

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