Motorbikes: Andrew Irwin delighted to be back on podium

“It was a good weekend,” said Andrew. “I qualified seventh and made a good start lying fourth at the end of lap one. I pushed forward into second but I just didn’t have the pace to win but was very happy with second.

“It’s good to be on the podium again. It’s been a long time. The team made a big step forward with the bike since Snetterton and it showed at Knockhill,” smiled the local rider.

Team boss Mark Webster added: “It’s great for Andrew to be able to get the result he deserves for all the effort he has put in so far this year.

“We are now in a good place with the bike and have it exactly how Andrew likes it. He used his head and rode a very clever race, getting to the front quickly with no dramas. Mackenzie had good pace on a track he knows well, so to push him all the way with Andrew was a good marker of where we are right now.

“It’s on to Brands GP circuit next where we had a podium with Andrew last year. It’s a good track for him and we are confident of another strong showing.”