Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne had to settle for two runner-up places at round nine of the MCE British Superbike championship at Donington Park. The reigning champ tried to out pace Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes for the win, but after a ‘tough battle’ Byrne had to settle for second.

But with two solid results over the weekend the rider heads into the final three-round Showdown with a six-point advantage over rival Lowes. In the second race, it was a close affair with Byrne, Lowes, Halsall Racing’s Tommy Bridewell, and Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland, with all the riders separated by just over a second in the early stages.

As the race entered its final third, it became a battle between Byrne and Lowes once more and on the last lap the three-time champion hit the front for the first time. However, try as he might with a couple of moves on the last lap, Byrne couldn't quite box off the victory so again settled for a safe second place.

"I was planning my move on Alex on the last lap but I found a neutral instead of fourth gear on the exit of Coppice so I couldn't try the inside going into the Esses. No excuses though, Alex rode an incredible race,” said Byrne.

“The result got us back in the window for the second race and I knew what I needed to do although it was again a tough battle. I did everything I could to get the win and although I'm never happy to finish second, this weekend's second places were as good as a win. Going into the Showdown, I have just a six point lead but we'll keep doing what we're doing and treat each weekend the same."