Byrne relishing Brands return
Added on Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Byrne relishing Brands return
Shane Byrne is preparing for his return to British Superbikes this weekend and is looking forward to returning to Brands Hatch, claiming that he has missed the famous circuit.
After leaving British Superbikes as champion in 2008 to spend two years in World Superbikes, Byrne is back in BSB with the HM Plant Honda team and will go into the season as one of the bookies favourites, riding alongside current champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.
The former Airwaves Ducati man struggled to make a real impression in WSB during his two years on satellite Ducati’s but the 34-year-old is looking forward to riding with the front runners this Easter weekend.
“It’s been a long winter but I am really ready to race now. I have said from the outset that the HM Plant Honda team knows how to make the Fireblade work; they have won titles so we know the potential we have, ahead of this season,” he claimed. “Myself and Kiyo have been working together in testing and we have been heading in a very similar direction in terms of set-up, but now it’s down to business.
“The Brands Hatch weekend is going to be massive; it is a track I have missed dearly since the last time I raced in BSB back in 2008. To be honest rolling down Paddock Hill Bend on the HM Plant Honda Fireblade on Good Friday will be enough to put a smile on my face from the start.
“I always seem to get lots of local support there and I want to do a good job on Easter Monday for the fans as well as myself and the team. The talking stops at Brands Hatch; it is then all about the racing.”
