Jason O’Halloran achieved his first podium finish of 2013 in the Oulton Park feature race.

Samsung Honda’s Jason O’Halloran experienced a reversal in fortunes at Oulton Park, figuring in a tense front-running fight in both Supersport races to achieve his first podium finish of the season.

The Aussie has bore the brunt of bad luck for much of the first half of his season on the CBR600RR, and, after inroads were made over the previous rounds, he was able to break through at the Cheshire circuit and challenge in both sprint and feature races.

He factored in the lead pack in the 10-lap opener and was unlucky to slip to fourth, just 1.412 seconds away from eventual winner Stuart Easton.

O’Halloran made a clean start in the feature race and found himself leading the pack off the line. Though he would lose a pair of places over the duration, he was elated to secure an elusive podium finish, ending the race just 0.540 seconds off the lead.

“This is a combination of relief and delight,” said O’Halloran. “We are starting to find the pace and get a better setting.

“I’m much more comfortable on the bike and stuck to the pace in the race. Seeley and McConnell rode well and I didn’t want to miss out on the podium so I pushed all the way.”

The Australian rider is eager to build upon the results and is currently concluding a test at Cadwell Park, the circuit that will host the next round of the championship in just over 10 days time.

“It was a great race and I am just relieved to be up at the front,” he added. “Now for Cadwell, a circuit I like and where we have a test (Monday) so we’ll come out fighting.”

O’Halloran sits sixth on the British Supersport Championship ladder, moving past fellow Aussie Glen Richards after last weekend’s efforts.