Steve took a ninth and then a fourth place in his two races at Oulton Park in the Superstock 1000 championship over the weekend to retain his sixth place in the overall standings at the end of a gruelling and drama filled season in which he was sidelined for over three months of the year nursing injuries sustained in a qualifying crash at the North West 200 back in May.

The first of the two races was the postponed event from Silverstone where the Steve had already completed his qualifying in 11th place prior to the race being postponed because of bad weather.

As he set off on lap one he maintained his 11th place but then had to run down the slip road after going in too hot at the chicane. He rejoined but found himself down in 19th position at the end of the first lap and a lot of work to do to get back on terms with the leading group.

He eventually caught the group of riders disputing sixth place and crossed the finish line in the middle of the group in ninth position.

“A few people ran wide at the first corner so I remained where I was in 11th place,” said Steve. “But coming down the back straight towards the chicane I got a four bike slipstream and although I braked at the same place I was going too fast and went straight on! I pulled my way back up to ninth at the flag so really I am well happy with that. My lap times were good, as was my race pace so I was really pleased.”

Earlier in the day qualifying took place as normal for the final round of the series and Steve rode well to finish the session in eighth position for a second row start. He said: “I felt better as the day went on really, in the middle section of the course I was struggling a little bit with fitness but that was down to me trying to hard and wearing myself out. I am satisfied with P8 and hopefully if I can get a good start I will be in contention for a top five finish.”

As Sunday’s season finale got underway Steve was cautious off the line and dropped down to 12th place on the opening lap. But he soon found his form and began to make up ground passing a rider on each lap until he reached seventh place on lap seven of 12.

He entered into a battle within a group of four riders disputing fourth position and on the penultimate lap he headed the group. But although he was able to retain his position the leading trio were long gone and a 12 second deficit was impossible to reduce on the final lap so Steve had to be content with fourth place at the chequered flag.

“I am quite content with fourth,” said Steve. “Especially after everything that’s gone on this season. I had a podium in my head before I came here but just before the race I said I wanted a top five.

“I was a little bit tentative in the first half of the first lap and lost a bit of time but I came through, my lap times were very good and I was well happy with the way I rode and so I am happy with the end of the season. It’s now all about building up for next year and I am happy with the way things are going.”

Steve will continue his training throughout the winter layoff in order to prepare for the 2011 season when he should be fully fit and raring to go.