The Rizla Suzuki team has vowed to do all it can to bridge the gap to the Bennetts British Superbike frontrunners﷽ as soon as possible.

With two rounds gone, star rider Chri💯s Walker's best finish is a fifth in race one at Brands Hatch while rookie team-mate Cal Crutchlow's highest ranking is a seventh in race one at ✃Thruxton on Sunday.

Both had struggled with rear tyre problems at Brands and the issue continued to hamper the team in Thruxton race one, before more dramatic problems ౠstopped either rider finishing the second outing; Walker retiring on lap four with smoke spewing from his GSX-R, while Crutchlow fell while fighting for eighth on the penultimate lap.

"Not my best day at the races but once again I gave it my all," said Stalker. "In the ope🌠ning race I was on my spare bike and it wasn't handling exactly how I would have liked, so ninth was a fair result. For the second race my Rizla Suzuki was much better and I was in the top six before retiring with a technical issue."

"I felt as though I was able to compete in the first race, which was great," commented Crutchlow. "I had a good tyre, strong set-up and if I had been able to force my way past Tommy Hill earlier, I think I might have been able to challenge for the top six. The plan was to get a better start for the second race and get up with the front runners. An average start didn't help and I 𓆏crashed out on the penultimate lap when ꦐmy bike grounded out on the kerbing - but I'm OK."

"It's plain for everyone to see that Chris, Cal and the Rizla Suzuki team are trying hard and doing their best to race at the sharp end of the championship," declared team manager Simon Buckmaster. "It didn't go to plan for the team at Thruxton in two incredible hౠard-fought tough races, buꦏt we will have better days than this, that's for sure.

"Clearly the team has work to do to be competitive but I'm co💙nfident we have the right riders, race bikes, staff and determination to make the steps forward required. The positives from today are that Cal is starting to show his potential anဣd Chris leaves here hungrier than ever to fight for the podium. It's good news the team is testing before the next round; I'm sure we will be much more competitive at Silverstone."