Brisbane’s Ben Attard proved that he and the i-Style The Natural Aprilia Racing team are serious contenders in the QBE Australian Superbike Championship once again in Queensland, scoring his third overall podium of the year on Sunday.

Attard and the Italian-built RSV4 have been surprise factors in this year’s title chase, currently tied for second with Jamie Stauffer after six rounds.

An off-track excursion in race one ruined Attard’s victory hopes as he made an attempt to take over at the front, however he recovered to take third and again took that place on Sunday.

“It was a good weekend, I’m really happy to be on the podium twice this weekend, it definitely proved that we’re a front-runner now and that a race win is getting closer and closer,” Attard said.

“It was there today and there was an opportunity to take it but I messed up, we struggled with rear grip in today’s race but we’ll go on to the next one feeling strong.”

Attard also finished on the podium at Phillip Island’s season opener and Darwin’s second round at Hidden Valley.