YATE'S Luke Hedger traveled to Snetterton in Norfolk for round four of the British Superbike Championship, flying solo due to his PR Racing Lloyd and Jones Bowker BMW team-mate being injured and unable to race until further notice.

Hedger took full advantage of having a little more room to himself in the garage but the entry list was packed so trying to get a good time was difficult. He soon found himself in 17th position in qualifying and unable to improve.

Before he know it, race day had come around and the eight minutes warm up was vital to clear any technical issues before the race.

The team wanted Hedger to try something out and he felt a lot more comfortable and was able to get the bike to do what he asked of it.

Hedger was well surrounded with an army of team shirts on the grid including his father and girlfriend.

He was focused, looking intently at the road ahead and, as the lights went out, he stormed off the line with an amazing start.

Starting from so far back was not something Hedger is used to, but he certainly took it in his stride because, by the end of first lap, he was into 10th place.

As the time progressed and the laps went down he really showed what he was made of by over taking on nearly every lap.

By the halfway point, Hedger had fought his way up to fourth place.

He wasn’t able to hold off fellow competitor Farmer who managed to pass Hedger three laps before the end of the race.

Hedger stayed on his tail right to the bitter end, hoping that Farmer would make a mistake.

Moving the bike from side to side on the 2.9 miles circuit, he took the chequered flag in fifth position, fist pumping the air as he went.

It was a tremendous ride and there is a lot more to come from him this year as he moves on to round five in Scotland’s Knockhill in July.

Hedger said: “Mixed emotions from the weekend. I had a tough start during practice and qualifying but the boys worked hard.

"I’m definitely getting more comfortable and confident with the BMW. Coming from 17th on the grid to finish fifth was mega.”