PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne is confident that he can become a stronger racer after his double MCE British Superbike podium at the opening round of the season at Donington Park. The four-time champ came away with a second place finish in race one, and that coveted first place win in race two.
Byrne’s consistent form means he now heads up the overall championship standings, and bags some valuable podium credits too. Byrne missed some of the pre-season testing when he broke his hand in Spain, and still hasn’t fully recovered from that break.
But even though he is still nursing some injuries Byrne did enjoy his fights on track with JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison in the first race, and Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot in the final outing. Byrne was a bit disappointed with his qualifying time, after missing out on pole, but soon made up for it during the doubler header this afternoon, and is looking forward to tackling the Indy circuit at his home track of Brands Hatch in two weeks time.
“I did say after race one that I was quietly confident that we would only get stronger, but racing is a funny old game and we have been around a long time, and we know never to expect the excepted. I thought it would be a battle with Kiyo, Josh and James and then I am riding around the Stuart and Dan. The battles with Kiyo were so intense last year and it was good to have some fun with a lad that’s keen and reminded me of battling with Alex,” said Byrne.
“Now we can build on this, the PBM Kawasaki is only going to get stronger and I am going to get fitter and I know we can be stronger going into the races, and now I am going to work hard with my trainer - and the team will have a look at the data and keep this momentum going.
“If I am honest I was a bit disappointed with qualifying as I was two tenths off, but in reality to come away with a win and a second - I cant grumble. It has been pretty tough as when the guys were banging out laps in Spain I was sat in the Hyperbaric chamber or having laser therapy and then you jump back on these things and really takes it out of you. The team have been working hard to fix the balance of the bike, and it has been a tough weekend - but onwards and upwards.”
