Ashford's Leon Camier was on hand to aid Aprilia Alitalia team-mate Max Biaggi during World Superbike round nine in Brno as the Italian’s charge towards the title gathered further pace.

The reigning British Superbike champion, pictured, endured personal frustration in the Czech Republic with grip issues during qualifying leaving him 13th.

His problems continued on race day as he was forced to pull into the pits after just four laps of race one, but he did improve to finish eighth in race two.

However, more importantly, the 23-year-old held off the charge of team-mate Biaggi’s championship rival Leon Haslam, who couldn’t find his way past Camier and finished 10th.

Jonathan Rea took the chequered flag in race one before Biaggi took the honours in race two with Camier’s selfless act helping to increase the Italian’s lead at the top from 37 points to 68.

“I had some good battles, particularly with Leon Haslam towards the end of the second race,” said Camier, who sits ninth overall with 138 points - 214 behind Biaggi who has 352.

“I knew I had to get past him to help out Max in the championship so I am pleased I could help out but apart from that it was a really tough weekend.

“We couldn’t have tried any harder and that is the way it goes sometimes. In race one I knew something had gone wrong on the bike pretty much straightaway.

“It cut out completely in turn one and it was getting progressively worse so I decided to come into the pits.

“In race two I had a good start but I think I must have missed a gear and got swamped in the first corner. I tried to get my head down and fight my way through but I just had no grip.”

The World Superbike Championship races are broadcast on Eurosport, with the European rounds also available in high definition. Eurosport is available on Sky 410 and Virgin Media 521. Eurosport HD is on Sky 412 and Virgin Media 522.