Maiden Podium of 2013 for Appleyard Macadam and Gowla

Appleyard Macadam Racing secured their first podium of the year at Cadwell Park thanks to Graeme Gowland clinching third place in the Sprint race.

Appleyard Macadam Racing secured their first podium of the year at Cadwell Park thanks to Graeme Gowland clinching third place in the Sprint race.

The weekend started poorly, with Gowland crashing out during free practice but the Northumbrian bounced back immediately, qualifying on the front row of the grid. 

The first race of the weekend on Sunday saw Gowland make a poor start from second on the grid, coming across the line on the first lap in fourth place. He was then demoted back a further place but at half race distance the former Spanish supersport champion jumped to fourth before taking third place a lap later. Despite pressure from behind Gowland held on to third place, securing the team's first podium of the year and in only his third race since joining the Yorkshire outfit. 

Bank Holiday Monday saw the Feature race in front of a bumper Cadwell Park crowd and Gowland impressed once again. The Northumbrian started well, battling at the front but dropped back to seventh place and began to get held up, allowing the front runners to get away. However, he was able to fight back and claim fifth place, 65 points adrift of third in the championship.

Graeme Gowland: "I am so happy to get my first podium for the Appleyard Macadam team and in only my second outing with them. It was hard work, especially after crashing on Saturday, but the team did a great job getting the bike back together so I could repay them with their first podium of the year. The second race on Monday just proved how tough the field is in Supersport, coming home in fifth but it's more points on the board and third in the championship is still a realistic goal for us. The last four rounds will suit me and the Yamaha R6 so we just need to keep building on this weekend and try get on that top step of the podium"

Pic courtesy of Double Red