MasterMac Honda rider Eugene McManus returned to action in the best way possible as the ZYN British Superbike Championship visited Thruxton over the weekend.

The Irish superbike rookie had sat out the previous round due to injury but looked to be straight back to top form as he enjoyed his best round of the season so far.

After an excellent P12 in the opening race and P17 in the second, he capped a fine meeting with a superb tenth place finish in the third and final race.

His teammate Rhys Irwin, meanwhile, got the reward for three solid rides on the thrilling high speed circuit by adding to his season’s points tally with P14 in race three.

There was also a single outing for MasterMac Honda’s Dan Brooks in the Pirelli National Superstock series. He came home in P15, which is now also his place out of more than 50 riders in the overall championship standings.

Steve Hicken, team manager, said:

“Massive credit to Eugene for getting back on the bike after injury and producing some really good results over the weekend.

“Thruxton is a unique circuit with lots of fast bends and plenty of overtaking so the riders have to work really hard to compete here.

“Eugene now has two top ten finishes this year and can target more of those as the season goes on.

“Rhys and Dan were both nice and consistent again and were rewarded with some well-deserved points. Overall, it was a great weekend for the team!”

The next round of ZYN BSB takes place over August bank holiday weekend, when Eugene, Rhys and Dan will take on the famous ‘Mountain’ among the twists and turns of Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.