FRASER Rogers made a return to the podium during round five of the British Superbikes National Superstock championship at Donington Park.

The IN Competition racer overcame another slight setback during Sunday’s event to clinch third and leave himself fifth in the championship at the halfway stage, six points off top spot.

Rogers began the weekend with a solid first day of practice aboard the Aprilia RSV4, clinching P6 and then P4 in the afternoon session, just 0.4 seconds off pole-setter, Luke Mossey.

Day two’s qualifying session ended up being a nail-biting affair for the IN Competition team as it wasn’t until the final lap that Rogers clinched the last remaining front-row position ahead of Billy McConnell by just 0.009 seconds.

Despite a wet track during Saturday’s race, the IN Competition machine powered off the line with ease. And with Rogers at the helm, the Swindon racer had hit the top spot by the first corner.

Rogers sailed down Craner curves with ease, four of five bike lengths ahead of McConnell in second and 2020 champion, Chrissy Rouse in third.

He managed to stay in front until the third lap where McConnell slid underneath him into Hollywood. By lap eight, Rogers had been pushed back to sixth position.

Back in fourth place by lap nine, the race really began to hot up for Rogers as he hunted down Bathams rider, Taylor Mackenzie.

The IN Competition team celebrated as Rogers crossed the line in third, but a post-race decision to hand their man a two-second penalty for exceeding track limits shunted Rogers back down to fifth.

Disappointment aside, Rogers began Sunday’s race in third once again but a poor start saw him swallowed up by the chasing pack and down to eighth early on.

The Swindon racer took 10 laps to climb back up to fourth where he once again found himself battling with Mackenzie for a podium place.

This time, Rogers passed Mackenzie without any problems and went onto celebrate his fourth podium finish in the last five rounds.

After the race IN Competition team owner Ian Newton said: “The most demanding weekend we have ever had but everyone stayed calm, worked hard and kept their Chimps in control to achieve great results. Well done to all the team!”