Leon Camier currently leads the standings in British Superbikes by a country mile. But how good is he? I’ve been trying to work it out.

He finished 5th overall in the championship last year, albeit only 12 points behind 3rd place. The four riders above him are all now in World Superbike or Supersport, and not doing badly at all.

So is Camier’s success this year down to him being a better rider, or a lack of competitive riders in BSB? It’ll be a bit of both, of course, not to mention ever increasing confidence as the results keep on going his way.

Sylvain Guintoli was to be Camier’s big rival this year, until his huge accident. He’s back this weekend at Cadwell Park – scene of Camier’s season-ending accident in 2007 – so we will at least get to see how Camier does against him in the remaining rounds.

Nothing firm can be drawn from the way Camier has been riding this year. Although he’s won a vast number of races, he’s often had to fight through the field after a poor start. You can take from that either that he’s fantastic at battling through the pack, or just that he’s no good off the line.

The most important question is whether he deserves a place in the Superbike World Championship next year. I think he will be there, and how he does will answer the question. Because I’m really not sure at the moment.