Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Shane Byrne was in confident mood in the opening Superbike race at Knockhill today. Byrne took the lead from Michael Laverty on lap 4, after Laverty launched off the start line to take the lead into the first corner. Once in the lead Byrne managed to fend off the advances of defending champion Tommy Hill for the remaining laps to secure his 2nd race win of the season.
Hill maintained his advantage over Michael Laverty to secure 2nd place and with it top spot in the Championship standings. Hill’s points haul demotes Josh Brookes into 2nd in the standings following his 4th place finish today. Bridewell, Haga and Seeley came home 5th, 6th and 7th respectively.
“The team have worked really hard this weekend so it’s a nice reward for them. It was a hard, hard race though, every lap l was looking for a break, but my pit board just kept saying plus zero, but it is nice to hang on for the win,” commented Byrne.
Second place finisher Hill added:
“Shakey road well, it’s like an elastic band out there, l was quicker at some points and then he had the upper hand at others, it was like a game of cat and mouse. Next time out, l’ll try to get out front and just run my own race from there.”
Third man on the podium, Michael Laverty wasn’t altogether happy with his performance saying:
“I made a few mistakes out there and just wasn’t as quick. But, we can improve the bike for race two and l’ll come out fighting later this afternoon.”
The MCE British Superbike competitors head back out on to circuit at 4pm today for race 2. We still have plenty of action on offer at Knockhill including racing action from National Superstock 1000, British Supersport, British Sidecars and the KMSC Superstock 600 class.