Scott Smart sliced through the field to take a hard-fought fourth place in Monday’s Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race at Cadwell Park despite qualifying in 15th place.

The Maidstone racer suffered engine difficulties in Sunday’s second qualifying session which meant he had to start from row five on the grid - not an easy place to be on a track that is known for making overtaking difficult.

“It wasn’t the most ideal of qualifying sessions to be honest but it can happen to anyone and we just made the most of it,” said a philosophical Smart after the lunchtime race.

“I got a decent start and just had to carve my way through the field as best I could. Cadwell is a very narrow track and there are only a couple of places to get past. I was very happy with my lap times towards the end of the race, which were as good as John McGuinness who finished second.

“The bike felt strong and I think with a couple of tweaks we are in good shape to run at the front during the next round at Croft. If I can qualify well, maybe we can do something about Alastair Seeley’s winning streak.”

Moto Rapido team manager Steve Moore added: “We were quite disappointed by the qualifying performance but the bike let us down so there was little Scott could do. The team worked very hard overnight to prepare the spare bike.  On race day Scott really pulled it together in and put on a stunning display of how it should be done. He has proved this weekend he is still a world-class rider and the MotoRapido Ducati 1198S is a force to be reckoned with in this championship from here on in.”

“I must also thank Objektum Venues who have now joined Solent Scientific as permanent main sponsors.”

The next round of the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 series takes place at Croft on the weekend of September 12.