Source: Supplied.

Smiths Racing BMW’s Billy McConnell starred on Sunday with a hard-fourth race one podium at Cadwell Park, the first of his British Superbike Championship career.

McConnell won the Supersport title last year with Smiths before stepping up to BSB’s premier class for 2015, rewarding the team with a breakthrough podium in third.

The result marks a significant step for the experienced South Australian, showing that the transition from Supersport to Superbike has ultimately been a successful one.

“The first race was great, it’s always disappointing when you don’t get a podium second time, but I’m still really, really happy,” McConnell said.

“To get my first British Superbike podium is something really special and it’s a great way to pay back the team. Everyone has worked so hard and put so much effort into this, so to be able to reward them now with this podium is perfect.

“Now I’m looking ahead to Oulton Park as there are three races there so I’m hoping to get another taste of standing on the podium. Now I’ve been there, I want to keep going back.”

In the second race McConnell started from eighth on the grid, dropping a place in the opening lap before a race long battle saw him move up to sixth, a position he held all the way to the chequered flag. He’s currently 11th in the standings.