Byrne and Rutter share wins at Mallory
Added on Monday, June 30th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Byrne congratulates Rutter on first win since 2005.
Shane Byrne and Michael Rutter shared the spoils at Mallory Park yesterday as Ducati dominance showed once again.
Byrne opened up a commanding 97 point advantage in the British Superbike Championship following victory in race one and a runner-up finish in race two whilst Rutter scored his first victory since 2005 on his independent North West 200 Ducati in the second event of the afternoon.
‘Shakey’ took the flag in a thrilling first race which saw high drama straight from the green light,
Honda rider Cal Crutchlow led the pack into Gerrards for the first time with Michael Laverty, Leon Haslam and Byrne tucked in behind but Byrne’s teammate Leon Camier saw his race some to an end as he clashed with Billy McConnell to end his race.
Crutchlow was then able to hold the advantage at the front with Laverty close behind, but it was Liam Haslam whose manoeuvre led to the races key incident.
His challenge to take the lead finally came to fruition at the hairpin on lap seven when he passed into the Hairpin.
That move forced Laverty wide and Byrne looked to exploit the gap, only to see himself pinned against the perimeter wall.
But the unfazed Byrne set his sights on the Honda duo at the front, passing Cruthlow five laps later and then Haslam on the following lap.
Byrne, putting aside the fact that this is his least favourite circuit, got his head down and aimed for Crutchlow. He was able to pass five laps later at Charlies and then had his sights set on Haslam. The manoeuvre on Haslam came just a lap later at the Devil’s Elbow after drafting past him on the straight to take his eight win of the season.
Race two was hit by unpredictable weather, playing havoc with team strategies and that played right into the hands of North West 200 Ducati rider Michael Rutter.
Rutter gambled on the track drying out as the race progressed and that gamble was justified as he took an impressive victory, finishing more than four seconds ahead of Byrne and Crutchlow.
Following the victory, Rutter said: “That race was just a dream after we had such a nightmare in the first race.
“My number one bike had a problem in warm up and then the second had a problem on the grid and I had to start from 27th. If that was not bad enough I then crashed out and banged my hand quite hard.
“But then it is up and down in racing and things can change so quickly, this is just so good for me and all at the North West 200 Ducati team.”
British Superbike Championship, Mallory Park.
Race One:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +1.024s
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.147s
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.355s
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +11.302s
6. Billy McConnell (MSS Disovery Kawasaki) +17.149s
7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha) +18.252s
8. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) +19.761s
9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +26.422s
10. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +27.593s
Race Two:
1. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati)
2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +4.405s
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +4.586s
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +13.383s
5. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +13.589s
6. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +19.517s
7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha) +25.928s
8. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +35.007s
9. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) +44.194s
10. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +56.422s
British Superbike Championship standings:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 280
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 183
3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 160
4 Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 148
5. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 127
