Tommy Hill increased his lead significantly in the British Superbike Championship by taking a race victory and second place in today's Thruxton second round.

With an identical scorecard to the Brands Hatch opener, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider again put together a commanding performance in race one and then backed it up with a strong performance in race two, limiting his risks and building his Championship lead.

Team mate Yukio Kagayama also built on his front-row qualifying; dicing for the lead in race one and showing - as he did in the Cartegena winter tests - that he has speed the equal of his Hill. After a third-placed finish in the first outing, Kagayama was promising better still for the second race, but it wasn't to be: Riding on identical bike settings to the first race - as was Hill's machine - Kagayama's rear tyre developed a severe loss of grip after just three laps and never recovered, but he fought on to finish a creditable 11th for a precious handful of points.

Tommy Hill:

"There's not much to say! Another two fantastic results and to come away with a much bigger Championship lead is a great bonus. I've been a bit stiff today after that 120mph highside yesterday but, to be honest; once you're on the bike and the adrenalin is flowing you don't notice it.

"It was good to have Yukio up there this weekend and properly racing - and if he gave it to me I gave it to him back! But that's exactly how racing should be; we're team-mates in the pits, but we're competitors on the track and I think we're both really looking forward to Oulton Park."

Yukio Kagayama:

"That first race was so enjoyable; a return to normality. The result is not so bad, but could have been better: At one point I was leading but near the end there I lost a second on Tommy and Josh, and while I got it back, it was too late. But great to be on the podium.

"For race two, what can I say? The rear tyre felt like it punctured and after five laps, my race was finished. I carried on but the feeling was very scary and it was very difficult, but I raced for some points. After everything, I am happy; the bike and the Team are working very well and I'm looking forward to Oulton Park - as unlike the track here, I can remember much about it."

Jack Valentine - Team Manager:

"It's been a cracking day. Tommy's had a day much like he did at Brands Hatch; putting in a great performance in the first race then playing the long game in the second, taking the points and building the Championship lead. Yukio was right on it today, to the point where I was getting nervous as he and Tommy started slugging it out! Yukio was looking good in that second race too, but tyre issues put him out quite early on.

"Tommy retaining and building on his Championship lead is a great way to finish the weekend. But we're far from complacent - it's a long season and Tommy knows he can't afford to relax. Yukio has shown that he's got the pace and being just 15 points outside the top six he's still very much in the frame for being in the showdown at the year end."

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Thruxton:

Race one:

1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.818s 3. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +1.185s 4. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.510s 5. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +5.670s 6. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.490s 7. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +9.154s 8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +9.300s 9. Ryuichi Kiyonarrri (HM Plant Honda) +9.493s 10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +17.014s

Race two:

1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 2. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.391s 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +7.112s 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +7.146s 5. Martin Jessopp (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +7.263s 6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +7.789s 7. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +8.241s 8. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +10.378s 9. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.218s 10. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +12.240s 11. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +17.507s

Championship points (after 2 rounds):

1. Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 90 2. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 56 3. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 50 4. James Ellison (Swan Honda) 41 5. Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 40 11. Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 25

Thruxton BSB Images to Download: CLICK HERE