Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati's Michael Rutter took his second podium finish of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season in the opening race at Oulton Park as he snatched third place away from title leader Shane 'Shakey' Byrne on the final lap.

Rutter is renowned for his performances in wet conditions and he was pushing Byrne hard for third place but it wasn't until the final lap that he was able to make it stick; he dived down the inside at Lodge to take the advantage and out drag his rival to the line.

Rutter said:

"That was one hell of a race. The conditions definitely made it difficult for everyone and you have to be so careful as it is so easy to make a mistake. It feels like a long time since I was on the podium at Thruxton but I knew we needed a podium here as we are running out of time to get back inside the top six before the Showdown."