EVESHAM'S Simon Andrews took his training to new heights ahead of Monday's Bennetts British Superbikes Championships round at Oulton Park - and admitted he's already reaping the benefits.

The 24-year-old climbed Britain's second largest mountain, Mount Snowdon, last weekend as he gears up to build on his eighth-placed finish in the opening race at Thruxton.

However it was not all plain sailing for the Jentin Yahama rider two weeks ago with clutch failure forcing him to the sidelines in race two, as HM Plant Honda's Cal Crutchlow bagged his first Superbike win.

But Andrews, who extended his deal with the Stroud-based team to a second year last month, has vowed to bring Crutchlow's championship campaign back down to earth.

"Climbing Snowdon was a fun bit of training for me," he said. "It gave me the chance to get away and get fully focused on the weekend ahead.

"There is still a lot of work to do with the bike, which does mean we are playing catch up a little bit but we will get there.

"Before Thruxton, if someone had come up to me and said you are going to be finishing in the top 10 then I would have snapped their hands off.

"We turned up preparing to struggle - so if we can sort out the equipment then I believe I can be up there challenging Cal."

Andrews, who enjoyed his best season last year in 17th, plans to kick-start his title assault at Oulton Park.

He added: "It is going to be difficult with Shane Byrne also doing well but, once I have got everything in place, I believe I can start getting big points and making my way up.

"I know I can go quicker and I really enjoying racing at Oulton. I set achievable goals. I want to win some races and set some new lap records."

Tune into Eurosport Two for Superbikes coverage from Oulton Park at 12.30pm or head to www.uk.eurosp ort.yahoo.com for updates.