Three podiums for Louth star Hickman at the Southern 100

Peter Hickman rode to three podium finishes and four top sixth places on his very first visit to the Southern 100 races on the Isle of Man.

He also claimed the title of third ever fastest rider on the history of the races and the Best Newcomer.

“It has been a great week here, the bikes have never missed a beat, the boys have done a fantastic job and we all have big smiles on our faces,” he said.

After getting to grips with the 4.25 mile public roads course during qualifying, Hickman, riding the 8TEN Racing BMW Motorrad M1000RR, lined up on the second row for the start of the Peel Holdings Senior Race.

As the race got underway Hickman quickly made his way through the field  to bring the bike home in third place on his first attempt at the course and said: “I got a good start so was quite happy and the race unfolded from there.

“I inherited second when Michael Dunlop went straight on at turn one which left me out there on my own as Dean Harrison was well away in front.

“I was glad when Nathan Harrison came through because then I could follow him.

“I am still not too comfy over the back section, so having someone in front was much better to understand where I needed to be.

“I was happy with third place on my first ever ride here in glorious sunshine.”

Next up was the Ellan Vannin Fuels Senior race on Wednesday evening where Hickman was up to second on the first corner.

A few seconds later he had the lead which he held through the first two laps.

The top three riders pulled clear of the pack and on lap three Dean Harrison snatched the lead on the exit to Cross Fourways.

But on lap four Hickman ran straight on at turn one and lost places down to 10th. However he was able to fight his way back and crossed the finish line in sixth place.

Hickman brought the Swan Triumph 765RS by PHR Performance out for a run in the H&H Motorcycles Supersport race where he started from seventh on the grid.

He was running in sixth place but closing down the four riders ahead who were all challenging for second place.

On the final lap he recorded the second fastest time of the race in his effort to catch up and was right on their tail as they approached the chequered flag but couldn't quite make the pass and crossed the line in sixth.

Thursday brought the final three races to the grid with Hickman starting the SAS Motors Supersport race from the third row.

As the field began to spread out he closed down Rob Hodson for fifth place. But Joe Yeardsley began to catch Hickman and on the run to the line, Yeardsley had his wheel in front demoting Hickman to sixth place.

In the Steam Packet Superbike race Hickman started from the second row and got away to a fast start to take up the lead.

The leading four riders pulled away and were covered by less than half a second.

Hickman held the lead through the majority of the race until, on the final lap Dean Harrison found a way past at Cross Fourways leaving Hickman to bring the 8TEN Racing BMW home in second place.

Hickman shaved a further two seconds from his lap time and posted the fourth quickest lap of all time with a 2m 11.193s lap.

The Bettridges of Foxdale Supersport race saw Hickman shoot straight into third place which he held until Paul Jordan passed him on lap five of seven.

Although less than a second away Hickman was unable to make a pass and completed the race in fourth position.

The feature race of the week was the Ellan Vannin Fuels Solo Championship where Hickman started from the middle of the front row and held second place behind Dean Harrison for the full nine laps.