A CHALLENGING weekend at Brands Hatch saw Lewis Rollo finish outside the top 10 in both his races.

The National Superstock 1000 rider enjoyed impressive rounds at Knockhill earlier this month but struggled to replicate that form in Kent.

Rollo, who lives south of Haddington, had a tough start to the weekend with technical issues limiting his track time during last Friday’s free practice sessions.

A damp qualifying session saw him start 14th on the grid for the 15-lap race. An impressive start was then ruined as he was pushed wide on the third lap, which saw him drop down to 20th.

Rollo managed to battle back to 15th and gained a place when reigning champion Chrissy Rouse was penalised.

On the second day, another good start saw Rollo fight up the order and he finished 11.

The 22-year-old RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki team member said: “I only managed about 7-8 laps on Friday and it was hard to catch up after that particularly with the mixed conditions.

"It was a bit of a lottery as to where we ended up on the grid and, although the first race started well, I got pushed off the track, by the same rider who did it to me at Oulton, and I lost a lot of time so 14th was the best I could manage.

"We made a few more changes for Sunday’s race and I felt comfortable with my pace but Tom Neave put a hard move on me and that allowed Keith Farmer to come by as well.

"I lost a bit of momentum but managed to regroup to take 11th for another points-scoring finish.”

Attention turns to Thruxton this weekend before the riders head to Donington Park on August 13.