Kent’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is in confident mood ahead of the next round of the MCE British Superbike Championship this weekend at Oulton Park.
Byrne has been in stellar form once again this season and leads the title race going into the final round of the Main Season having taken at least one victory in the past six rounds aboard the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R. The 39-year-old has already clinched his place in the title-deciding Showdown which comprises the final three rounds following victory last time out at Cadwell Park.
The main focus for ‘Shakey’ is now to increase his Podium Points advantage over his rivals and with a triple-header weekend, he can add a vital 15 of those to his tally if things go his way as he searches for BSB title number five. Byrne has won ten times at the Cheshire track over the years and is confident of adding to that success this weekend.
Also looking to continue his impressive recent run for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team once again is Ulsterman Glenn Irwin who continues his great form in his rookie season aboard the Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R.
The 26-year-old from Carrickfergus claimed his maiden BSB podium at Thruxton three rounds ago and has been challenging for another podium at the last couple of rounds meaning he has an outside chance of making the Showdown.
However, whilst it’s mathematically possible, it’s a long shot so he will be aiming to secure a hat-trick of decent results safe in the knowledge that if he makes the podium alongside his team-mate, he will be taking vital Podium Points off Byrne’s rivals in the process.
Shane Byrne: “I’m really looking forward to the last of the pre-Showdown rounds at Oulton Park and having cemented my place at the last round at Cadwell Park, in some ways the pressure’s off a little.
“However, I don’t work like that, I look at this final round being a triple header as a great opportunity to score a potential 15 more Podium Points in order to start the Showdown with the biggest possible advantage. Oulton Park is a fantastic track and I can’t wait to ride this weekend!”
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