SHAKEY BURNS UP RIVALS
Ace shows real pace
SHANE BYRNE has warned his MCE Insurance British Superbike title rivals that he means business at Snetterton tomorrow.
Five-time champion Shakey powered in two scorching laps in the closing minutes of free practice, both of which were just inside his own record.
The Be Wiser Ducati rider recorded a stunning 1min 47.345secs as he prepared for races in which he intends to put his title bid back on course.
Byrne missed the opening round after a heavy crash in practice, then struggled with another tumble before a run of four podiums, including victory at Oulton Park.
He kept up the pressure in the last round in Scotland, capitalising on the absence through injury of three of his ® rivals, to move into third place in the title stakes.
“A big part of me sees the last round at Knockhill as a job done,” he said.
“I went there out of contention and needed some decent points and left there third in the championship, with two more podium points in the bag.
“However, the racer in me only goes racing to win and obviously I never managed that last time out.
“The tracks coming up suit me and the bike, so we can look to get some serious winning done.”
Tumble
He was eventually 0.413secs faster than Honda’s Jason O’Halloran while Peter Hickman, riding the Smiths BMW, eased ahead of the Knockhill double winner Jake Dixon (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki).
Luke Mossey, who took over at the top of the standings from injured JG Speedfit Kawasaki team-mate Leon Haslam at Knockhill, was fifth fastest.
He leads by 30 points but is wary of Haslam, who suffered concussion in free practice ahead of the last round after taking a tumble.
“I’m keen to bounce back,” Haslam said after securing eighth.
Ex-champion Josh Brookes was left to rue a technical problem which prevented him from improving his best time.