Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne will start the opening MCE British Superbike race at Donington Park from second on the grid, after a 1’28.370 in Superpole, and even went faster than World Superbike Ducati factory racer, Chaz Davies’ time when took part in the second WSBK race at the circuit a few months ago.

His Paul Bird team made a small change to the front of his Panigale to make it a bit stiffer, and he stated that it was a ‘step in the right direction’.

But Byrne had a little moment in the final sector on his Superpole lap and lost a tenth, but wanted to keep his Ducati on the track and not to throw away a stellar lap time, that was 1.2s under the lap record.

“We made a change to the bike in the final session and we made a really small change to the front to stiffen it up a tiny bit and I went into turn one. I thought this is perfect but as I was running in I released the brakes and the bike set up a bit more and I kept the rest of the lap quite tidy,” said Byrne at the track.

“I thought keep it together and I managed to lose a tenth on the final sector as I was not trying to throw it away. But the aim for us is to be on the front row.

“Chaz (Davies) fastest lap in race two at Donington was a 1’28.5 so for me to do a 28.3 on race tyres shows we are pushing on. Fair play to Leon he is a tenth faster and did a super fast lap. But I am happy for the races tomorrow. We made a small change in the last qualifying session and it was a step in the right direction. The team are working well and the bike is working great.”

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