SWINDON rider Charlie Nesbitt was handed a debut ride in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship last weekend - and delivered with two points-scoring performances.

The 21-year-old was called up for an unexpected chance in the high profile series after Buildbase Suzuki’s Christian Iddon was sidelined by injury for the latest round at Donington.

That gave Nesbitt three outings over the course of the weekend to sample racing at the highest domestic level, ahead of his expected full-time promotion to the class in 2023.

With only one previous test on a superbike under his belt, it was a baptism of fire for Nesbitt to compete alongside the likes of championship leader Brad Ray and former World Superbike champion Tom Sykes as the season nears its conclusion.

Nesbitt responded with a mature display, getting valuable track time while chalking up some pleasing results. After finishing the first race in 19th place, he showed growing confidence to come home 13th in races two and three, bagging his first championship points in the process.

The first two races were won by Sykes, while race three winner Ray is now almost untouchable as championship leader heading into the final meeting of 2022 at Brands Hatch.

Commenting on Instagram, Nesbitt said: “It was a massive learning curve and I now know what work needs to be done. I can’t thank the team enough for the opportunity.”

The extended superbike audition was not the only highlight of his weekend, however. Nesbitt also competed in the first of two races in the Pirelli National Superstock championship on board his VisionTrack Suzuki.

He played his part in another entertaining battle between the leading riders, eventually finishing third to secure another podium behind Richard Kerr and Davey Todd. Nesbitt sat out the second race, in which Todd took a fine win to secure the British title.