Tommy Hill is uncertain as to where his future lies after losing his British Superbikes title to Shane Byrne at Brands Hatch over the weekend.

Hill, who 12 months ago won a dramatic season finale by six thousandths of a second ahead of John Hopkins, needed a minor miracle to retain his title at the last round of the 2012 series.

And unsurprisingly it didn’t come as Byrne completely dominated as per usual at Brands Hatch, winning all three races to emphatically claim his third career British Superbike title.

Swan Yamaha rider Hill was second, sixth and third in return to finish third overall with 612 points, 71 behind the champagne-popping Byrne and 43 behind second-placed Josh Brookes.

For Hill the final three rounds that saw him and five others form the Showdown have been in stark contrast to his previous nine that gave the 27-year-old the lead.

He had the misfortune of colliding with another team’s mechanic at Assen and his two podium finishes at Brands Hatch were indeed his only two of the final three rounds.

Hill was visibly disappointed at failing to retain his British Superbike title and wouldn’t confirm whereabouts he will be riding next season.

“I thought staying at Swan Yamaha would put me in a stronger position to retain the title but it’s not come through that way, said Hill.

“I know what I can do and I feel like I can ride a lot quicker, but I can’t because the bike’s not letting me do so.

“I know I can do it but it’s just not happened for the past few rounds – that’s the way it goes. I know in my heart that I gave it everything I have.

“I didn’t ride it any differently to how I have all season it’s just not giving me the same results as it was a couple of rounds ago.

“So whatever happens I’ll just have to make the right decision when the time comes.”

Hill revealed in the aftermath that both he and Swan Yamaha teammate Noriyuki Haga had been suffering from the same issues in the final three rounds of the season.

At Brands Hatch Haga was eighth, ninth and tenth for eighth overall, and Hill added: “Nori and I have had the same issues, which is a comfort in the sense that you never like coming back to the garage and seeing that you’ve had the worse luck in the team.

“On reflection I’ve ridden well this season but coming to the last few rounds I have just fallen straight off the pace which is frustrating.”