Shane Byrne - Championship position: 1st - Points: 219 - Podium credits: 31

It is a little difficult to believe that five-time MCE British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne has never won back-to-back titles - something he aims to remedy this year and starting at this weekend’s Silverstone Showdown decider.

Byrne won his first title some 14 years ago with Paul Bird but then went to MotoGP with Aprilia, KR and as a stand-in at Camel Honda. He came back to BSB in 2006 but had to wait two years for a second title with Airwaves Ducati. A trip into WorldSBK wasn’t as successful as the Kent man hoped, and he returned to BSB in 2011.

Re-united with Bird in 2012, he was champion and then again in 2014 and for a fifth time in 2016. The most successful rider in the series’ history, Byrne really only needs to turn up at Silverstone to ensure a Showdown spot as his gap to sixth place is 58 points, and he only needs to be 75 in front at the end of the weekend.

“Silverstone is an event I am really looking forward to because if I am honest I left Cadwell Park a bit angry and frustrated about the last two rounds and how many potential podium points we have given away to our rivals. That is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Byrne.

“With three races at Silverstone we have an opportunity to get some back and so we need to work as hard as possible to make that happen. However we need to remember that the Showdown starts just a few days later.

“I have spent the time since the last round in Spain and I really feel fired up and ready to go because I want to put right the wrongs of the previous races at Silverstone.”