Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider Shane Byrne has a one point lead in the MCE British Superbike championship, after finishing on top in race one, and third in race two at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit this weekend.

But however hard the BSB triple champ tried he could not pass Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison.  At first he wanted the Cumbrian to lead, but soon realised just how fast the Yamaha rider was prepared to go.

“I got another good start which was nice and I saw James go past, and I thought that was perfect, but he rode really well and the pace he set was really fast. It is hard at Brands because the lap times are so close, but I was just behind James and I thought that was perfect, and I felt a bit bad because I was going to make a move three or four laps from the end, and I was thinking about it really hard. But he was always going to be there or there a bouts, and it was a great ride by James.," said the reigning champion.

Even though Byrne is the current MCE British Superbike leader, it does not mean much to the rider, as he knows that there is still a long way to go in the championship. The rider was in second place, but a mistake in the dying stages meant he crossed the line in third. Byrne then ended up on the grass when trying to attempt to over take Ellison.

“I am a little bit disappointed with third, but we have come away from today with two podiums, and a one point lead in the championship. But that means naff all until we get to the Showdown, but it is all good.

“I think all of us now are starting to have a bit more fun, as everybody has been on edge, and none of us have had much track time in the UK, which has back fired on all of us, as I think we could have been better prepared. Now one race is out of the way, we are like a bunch of crack addicts, we are desperate to get back out there to get our next fix. I think everyone will relax a bit more, and there should be some great battles throughout the year and fingers crossed that I will be near the front of them.”