Be Wiser Ducati's Shane Byrne is still leading the MCE British Superbike championship, even after experiencing a technical DNF in race two at Thruxton.
It was in stark contrast to the opening race, where Byrne dominated from the front to win the maximum points haul at the Hampshire track. But in race two, whilst battling for another victory with eventual race winner, Tyco BMW's Michael Laverty the Panigale rider's gear linkage broke and the 39-year-old had to retire to the pits.
It was a mixed weekend for Byrne but he still has a fifteen point advantage over title challenger, JG Speedfit Kawasaki's Leon Haslam at the top of the overall standings.
"The second race started well but the gear linkage breaking is just one of those things. I know how meticulous my team are, they’re almost obsessive and prepare in the same way that I do, always giving 100 percent," said Byrne.
"That’s why we work so well together. It was no-one’s fault although it was difficult to sit in the pit box knowing I could have been faster than what the leaders were lapping at! I really wanted to reward the whole team with a double this weekend but the positives, and there are a lot of them, far outweigh the negatives.”