The 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship got underway from Donington Park at the weekend and Shane Byrne was back on form once again.
In his first race since becoming the 2014 British Superbike Championship Byrne finished second behind James Ellison. He went one better in the second race of the day netting his 62nd victory in the British Superbikes after a ding dong battle with Dan Linfoot.
By his own admission Shakey wasn’t at his best but it showed his talent that he could still come away with a first and second place in the opening weekend of the season.
His teammate Stuart Easton was right up there with him in the second race taking third, making a good weekend for the Paul Bird Motorsport team.
In race one Shakey was locked in a battle with Ellison, and with a difference in tyre strategies, Byrne hoped his harder rear tyre would come into force in the second half of the race but Ellison was able to hold on meaning Byrne had to settle for a close runner-up spot.
Race two saw the PBM Kawasaki pairing run inside the top three throughout the race and with Honda’s Dan Linfoot also in the mix, a terrific three-way battle ensued. It was nip and tuck all the way with Byrne and Linfoot constantly changing positions but on the 18th lap, Byrne finally made his move count and he was able to take his 62nd career race win. Easton crossed the line close behind in third meaning the duo already occupy first and sixth in the championship table.
It was the third time the Penrith-based PBM team have scored a double BSB podium following Byrne and Easton claiming first and third at Oulton Park in 2012 and Byrne following Tom Sykes home in second and third at Donington Park back in 2007.
Speaking at the end of the opening weekend, Byrne said: “I’m made up with how the weekend’s gone given how I launched myself into orbit back in Spain. I’ve done everything possible to be on the grid but my fitness isn’t where I want it to be.
“The bike is very much work in progress too, particularly with the balance, and the team have been working hard all winter to improve it. We opted for the harder tyre and with the increase in track temperature, the bike was the best it had been all weekend. To start the season with a first and a second is brilliant and fair play to the whole PBM Kawasaki Team, they’ve done a great job.”
Images courtesy of www.psp-images.co.uk