EVESHAM superbikes star Simon Andrews ended his season in heartbreak by narrowly missing out on a podium finish in the Macau Grand Prix, despite an impressive display.

The 26-year-old finished the prestigious end-of-season race in fourth place as Kawasaki team-mate Stuart Easton made it three Macau wins in a row. Ducati rider Michael Rutter was second and Jeremy Toye (BMW) was third.

The race, held on the streets of the Chinese city of Macau, had to be run in two parts after a red flag incident when Canadian Chris Peris crashed after six laps.

But Andrews missed out on the podium after an exciting end to his race.

Just one second separated Toye and the Evesham rider, who finished seventh in his debut in last year’s race, and lined up in fifth place on this year’s grid for the 15-lap event.

Andrews was in an impressive third place all race but he ran out of power late on to be denied by a few tenths of a second.

After the race, he said: “Oh man that was annoying, so close. I felt comfortable in third but just at the end I started losing power. What a great event though, I loved everything about it.”

Kawasaki team owner Nick Morgan said: “I’m frustrated for Simon, it would have been great to see him on the podium especially in only his second visit.

“He was riding his heart out but you could see he had a problem.”

This result completed a disappointing season for Andrews, one dogged by injuries and loss of form.

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider ended the campaign in 13th position overall with 103 points, one point and one place behind 2010 team-mate Gary Mason.

Andrews suffered a broken ankle and foot while riding as a wildcard in the World Superbike Championship in April, which saw him miss three rounds.

His future with MSS Colchester Kawasaki for 2011 is yet to be decided, but with the manufacturer releasing the Ninja ZX-10R machine next season, he hopes to stay put.

Andrews added: “I don’t know what will happen about next season yet but I definately want to be racing.

“You can’t put my form this season all down to my injury.

“It didn’t help things but I had plenty of chances since then to do well and I didn’t do that on a regular basis.

“The last two years were very good for me but this year wasn’t, these things happen.”

Scotsman Easton has been confirmed as Kawasaki’s Superbikes rider and Andrews is one of a number of riders looking for the team’s second superbikes ride.

If he does compete for Kawasaki next season, Andrews will have the chance to compete on the re-opened, Donington Park circuit.

The full, 12-round 2011 MCA Insurance British Superbike Championship calendar: April 22-25: Brands Hatch; Apr 30-May 2: Oulton Park; May 13-15: Croft; May 28-30: Thruxton; June 17-19: Knockhill; July 1-3: Snetterton 300; July 15-17: Oulton Park; Aug 5-7: Brands Hatch GP; Aug 27-29: Cadwell Park; Sept 9-11: Donington Park; Sept 23-25: Silverstone Arena GP; Oct 7-9: Brands Hatch.