Byrne Extends Lead With Donington Double
Added on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Byrne claims second double of the season
Shane Byrne extended his lead at the top of the British Superbikes championship after a double win at Donington Park yesterday.
The Ducati rider, who looked set to miss out on this weekend’s event after his GSE Racing team threatened to pull the Airwaves Ducati team out of the event in protest at a weight handicap, stole the double win with a sensational last-gasp move on Honda’s Leon Haslam at the Melbourne Loop to win by just 0.355 seconds.
In race one, Byrne once again beat Haslam to the chequered flag but by a more convincing margin of more than 2.4 secs. Tom Sykes’ recent improvement on the Suzuki continued, with a second podium in as many rounds.
But Byrne once again took the plaudits and was delighted with his result.
“I knew the Ducati 1098R would suit this circuit and with the Airwaves Ducati working as well as it has been this weekend I am so pleased to have got another double win for the team,” said the 2003 champion.
“Race one was great, I got a good start and was in front for most of the race but it still felt great to take that first win. I was a little nervous ahead of race two and unfortunately my start was nowhere near as good; the conditions felt a lot windier and with a bad start I had made it hard work for myself.
I got a bit knocked about on the first few corners and I was quite far down the field but I didn’t worry about it too much. I just took my time before kicking up a gear and making my move on the leaders. I left it quite late to overtake Haslam but I was pleased I was able to pass him and take another double win for Airwaves Ducati.”
British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 1 Result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 32:01.058
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +2.473
3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +3.442
4. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +5.856
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +6.188
6. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +6.636
7. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing) +7.464
8. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +9.809
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.627
10. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha) +16.244
British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 2 Result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.355s
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.447s
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.596s
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +4.186s
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +7.446s
7. Karl Harris (Team Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +15.707s
8. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +26.794s
9. Simon Andrews (Lloyds Bitish Jentin Racing) +31.816s
10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +32.870s
British Superbike Championship standings after Donington Park:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 190
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 122
3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 107
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 96
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 88
6. M. Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 82
7. T. Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 75
8. S. Easton (MSS-Discovery Kawasaki) 62
9. M. Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 59
10. S. Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha) 37
