Cadwell BSB: Skinner on cusp of Showdown with podium return

FS-3 Kawasaki’s Rory Skinner moved a step closer to booking his place in the British Superbike Championship Showdown after securing a fifth podium of the season at Cadwell Park.

Equalling his best BSB result in what is his sophomore season at this level, Skinner made the most of a front row grid slot to chase Yamaha’s Bradley Ray throughout the 12-lap Sprint en route to second place.

The result might have been better had the race continued from its first start, Skinner having snatched the lead off Ray with a brilliant move on the sweep towards the Gooseneck shortly before it was red flagged due to a crash involving his Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki teammate Lee Jackson.

While he didn’t quite have the pace to go with Ray at the restart, second place for Skinner lifts him level on points with Jackson for third in the standings, with both riders now just shy of assuring their qualifications for the Showdown fight.

“It’s nice to be here,” Skinner said fresh from the podium. “Qualifying was really good and in the race we were really strong and I felt really comfortable.

“The tyres just dropped a bit towards the end but to be second at Cadwell Park is mega for me, it’s something I never expected to be so I am more than happy.

“The main goal at the minute is to be in the Showdown, we have five more races to go so we will see what happens but then the real championship charge starts.”

Though another example of Skinner’s giant-killing performances in BSB relative to his age, the 20-year old says he doesn’t consider his relative lack of experience and mileage around the calendar’s most technical circuit a disadvantage.

“It is my second year here, but no excuses, we get to do the Friday test and while my track knowledge may not