Airwaves Ducati commence their 2008 season at Brands Hatch in round one of the British Superbike championship this weekend.

Following a successful winter of testing which saw the team travel to Almeria and Calafat, the Airwaves backed GSE Racing team will compete for the first time aboard their new Ducati 1098R’s on the 2.3 mile Brands Hatch GP circuit.

Shane Byrne has performed exceptionally well in testing, completing in excess of 956 miles and posting consistently quick times. Although the adverse weather conditions prevented any testing at the official BSB Pirelli test at Snetterton last week, Shane is confident that he will perform well at his favourite circuit.

“I am feeling really positive, the team has worked really well and everything has gone to plan. We have worked through a number of things and we have taken some big steps forward with the Ducati 1098R. There are a few other things we need to work on at Brands Hatch but we have been consistently strong and the only unknown now is how we will match up against the competition at a race weekend! I personally feel as fit and strong as I can be and I am looking forward to getting going; the first round is going to be interesting for sure!”

Leon Camier spent the early part of the winter break in Australia recuperating from his Cadwell Park crash. His testing was encouraging in Almeria and, although he suffered a minor set back when he crashed on the third day at Calafat, he is confident for a good performance at his local circuit this weekend.

“I feel ok, although my shoulder is still suffering the affects of my fall at Calafat. I am looking forward to getting to Brands Hatch and although I have had limited testing time I am still feeling confident. On my last outing on the Ducati 1098R it was starting to feel more like my bike with a set up I was comfortable with. I believe that if my shoulder holds up I will be up there fighting for the top positions this weekend.”

Team manager Colin Wright commented after Calafat that they had achieved everything they set out to do in pre season testing, specifically familiarising the new riders with the Ducati 1098R and Pirelli tyres. He has been pleased with how Leon and Shane have slotted into the Airwaves Ducati team and is looking forward to the season ahead.

“We know that this year will be another highly competitive championship and we are all looking forward to getting underway this weekend. It has been a long winter but we have been pleased with the progress Leon and Shane have made with the Ducati 1098R in testing. For a fourth year Wrigley’s Airwaves will remain as our title sponsor and we also welcome Jewson as a new major partner to the team; all of us at GSE Racing are looking forward to working with our partners to regain the BSB title in 2008."