Byrne Comfortable With Ducati Switch
Added on Friday, April 18th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Byrne Comfortable With Ducati Switch
Shane Byrne believes that he can put the disappointment of the cancelled Brands Hatch BSB opener behind him this weekend as the series kicks off at Thruxton.
Byrne earned pole position for the official opening race two weeks ago before heavy snow forced a cancellation of the meeting – Byrne’s first race with the Airwaves Ducati team after switching back to the manufacturer with whom he won the 2003 title.
The former Stobart Honda rider will not lose the pole position that he originally earned when the BSB returns for the rescheduled event and was happy to take the positives from the weekend, despite the obvious frustration.
“We had a pretty good outing at Brands Hatch and I am aiming to take that into this weekend at Thruxton,” said Byrne. “I just hope the weather doesn’t ruin it for us again!
The pole position was all the more impressive given that opportunities to for Byrne to get used to the new bike in testing had been cut short – again due to weather with the official BSB test at Snetterton.
“Achieving pole position at Brands Hatch has given me even more confidence about the Ducati 1098R and what it is capable of. I like Thruxton and the Ducati’s have done well there in the past few years so I am confident for a good result this weekend.”
Byrne’s teammate Leon Camier, who qualified in 6th at Brands, was grateful for the additional two weeks to recover more fully from the shoulder injury he suffered in a crash at testing.
“I was a little sore after practice and qualifying at Brands Hatch but I knew I what I could have achieved in the race, so I was gutted when it was cancelled.
“My shoulder is feeling a lot better now and I hope to be challenging for the top positions this weekend.”
