Sylvain Guintoli says he is 'gutted' to have missed out onཧ a first World Superbike Championship podium after puttin🐲g in a dogged performance on home soil at Magny-Cours.

The Frenchman came into the concluding event having scored in every race this season, but having failed to make it onto the podium, he was determ🔯ined to end his campaign with the result he ha𒁃d been chasing all season.

What transpired was a frustrating day for Guওintoli as he fought up at the front of both races bu🍌t would ultimately just miss on his rostrum target.

A controversial decision marred Guintoli's first race after he cut the Nurburgring chicane and didn't follow the correct route back onto the circuit. As such, while he didn't gain an advantage,🏅 Guintoli was given a drive-through penalty - his subsequent decision to ignore it prompted a black flag and exclusion.

"Too be honest, I'm absolutely gutted! I fought like an animal today and half my effort was ruined because of a black flag. That was in race 1, when I was happily fighting in the top four. I did accidentally cut part of a chicane, but made sure I didn't gain any positional advantage, but it seems that I was 🍎supposed to rejoin in some marked area.

"I didn't see any area, so just assumed all was OK. 🎉Later the black flag with my number came out, but by then it was too late. I got disqualified because I was adjudged to have not respected the black flag."

Coming out fighting in race two, Guintoli raced into an early lead, but a mid-race shuffle would push him down to fourth position behind M🌞ichel Fabrizio. Nonetheless, roare꧃d on by the home crowd, Guintoli edged back into contention for third, even snatching the position on the final lap.

However, Fabrizio wasn't done and a determined effꦉort - as well as a bit of contact - three corners from𓄧 home would see him deny Guintoli a popular result.

Nonetheless, despite missing out on that podium, Guintoli's fourth was still enough for him to claim a very respectable seventh in tꦉhe standings and as the second best placed WSBK rookie.

"Race two is why I race. It was brilliant! I made a great start and led the first eight laps. I was comfortable in the lead, in fact I felt more comfortable in the front than when I am in a pack of riders. I had a really good battle with Fabrizio in the closing stages. We musꦦt have overtaken each other four times on just one lap!

"Also, he hit me a couple of times, but it was all just a good fight. I did my best to get past him and stay there, but just couldn't manag🍸e it. I'm very disappointed not to have got on the podium."

"I've had a fantastic season. I have learnt so much from this team. They've pushed me , made me change as a rider (for the better) and helped me grow. I have felt part of the Alstare family from the beginning and I would like to thank Fr🅠ancis and the whole tꦬeam for this wonderful experience."

Guintoli's future in WSBK remains unclear, particularly following Suzuki's decisio🍨n to reduce its entry to a single bike next season. He is highest-placed rider in the standings yet to have an obvious home for 2011.