Lydd’s Bradley Ray made a frustrating return to World Superbikes after mechanical gremlins and then a crash in France.

Fit again after shoulder surgery kept the Yamaha Motoxracing rider out of the previous round in the Czech Republic, Ray set a best practice time of 1min38.364sec at Magny Cours before improving to 1.36.961 - good enough for 17th - in the Superpole which decides grid order.

Unfortunately, a penalty for riding too slowly on the racing line during a slowing-down lap cost him three places and he was demoted to 20th.

A fast start to race one moved Ray up the order and into the points zone before a technical problem forced him to retire, but there was better luck in the Superpole sprint race with a 15th-place finish.

Ray began Sunday afternoon’s race two from 17th on the grid, and after a red flag brought the action to a halt on lap five, he made a tremendous restart, gaining nine places. However turn 13 proved unlucky and he crashed - although he recovered to finish in 17th place.

“[It was] a weekend of highs and lows,” said Ray. “It was a real pity to crash in race two after making such a good start that put me up into the top 10.

“I had the pace to stick with those ahead also because the team’s hard work meant that we’d found a great set-up and the bike was really performing well.

“After the crash I got back on the bike and finished the race but at the back of course. I’m really sorry about what happened but am pleased with the progress we’ve made here, which leaves me feeling optimistic ahead of the next round at Motorland Aragon”.

The championship continues in Spain on September 22-24 with Ray 18th in the standings on 19 points.