MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship regular Scott Smart celebrated a double podium finish at the third round of the Qatar International Road Racing Championship (QIRRCH) to take the standings lead by two points.

Smart started fourth on the grid after suffering technical problems in qualifying which dramatically reduced his track time, but it was defending champion Alex Cudlin who took the double win on his return to the Championship. He fought with Mashel Al Naimi over the opening lap before the Australian edged out and advantage.

The second race was a repeat of the first with the trio battling for the podium positions, with Cudlin taking the second win from Al Naimi and Smart who now leads the championship by two points.

QIRRCH, Losail circuit, round three, race one:

Alexander Cudlin
Mashel Al Naimi +2.272s
Scott Smart +21.889s
Nina Prinz +32.811s
Abdul Aziz Binladin +49.340s

QIRRCH, Losail circuit, round three, race two:

Alexander Cudlin
Mashel Al Naimi +0.992s
Scott Smart +1.056s
Nina Prinz +34.020s
Abdul Aziz Binladin +49.800s

QIRRCH, Losail circuit, championship standings after round three:

Scott Smart 82
Mashel Al Naimi 80
Abdul Aziz Binladin 79
Nasser Al Malki 66
Saeed Ibrahim Al Sulaiti 60