Rizla Suzuki’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne crashed out unhurt while battling for the lead in the second race at the 11th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire today. After taking fourth in the opening race, held in wet but drying conditions, Shakey was in determined mood for the dry second race. He made an excellent start and led for the first lap, before settling behind Gregorio Lavilla. The pair broke away from the pack and Shakey was closing in on the reigning Champion when he crashed on the exit to Charlie’s and retired.
Rizla Suzuki racer Steve Plater crashed out of the opening race when he was forced on to the wet line when two riders clashed in front of him. In the second race, aboard his spare bike, Steve took a season’s best of sixth place in front of his home fans. Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla won the opening race and his team mate Leon Haslam the second.
Rizla Suzuki will attend the official British Superbike test at Silverstone on Tuesday, September 5th, before returning to the circuit for the 12th round of the Championship on Sunday, September 17th.
Shakey: “I am gutted after crashing out in the second race. I was fighting Greg for the win and had the pace on him. I came out of Charlie’s as fast as I could when the front wheel skipped and then slid away. There was nothing I could do to avoid crashing.
“Fourth in the opening race is okay but when you have the bike and ability to challenge for wins it isn’t what I want. The Rizla Suzuki is fast; we had a good package at Cadwell and knew we could run at the front. I’ve two more rounds left and want to get on the top step of the podium again.”
Steve: “Sixth is my best result of the season and while it isn’t a win, I am over the moon with the progress I have made with the Rizla Suzuki. The whole team deserves a result for their efforts supporting me – thanks guys!
“In the first race the two riders in front of me touched, I went off the dry line to avoid hitting them and crashed at low speed on the wet surface. Overall though, the top six was my target for this weekend and I achieved that. Thanks to all my home fans for cheering me on.”
Robert Wicks, Team Manager: “The high of Shakey fighting for victory was tempered by him crashing out before the half-way point in the race. With Steve, his best finishing position of the season was contrasted by an unfortunate crash in race one, so it’s been a day of mixed emotions for Rizla Suzuki.
“It’s also been a frustrating day, but on the positive side Shakey showed he has front row pace and Steve was able to make very good inroads through each session.
“The weather at Cadwell was dramatic and so was the racing. The only thing missing for the team was the podium result we so dearly wanted and looked capable of achieving. We’ll be back at Silverstone testing soon and then on to the penultimate round of the season at the same venue on September 17th.”
Race One Results: 1: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 28:04.401,
2: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +5.307,
3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +20.611,
4: SHANE BYRNE (RIZLA SUZUKI) +30.238,
5: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +35.712,
6: Glen Richards (Honda) +35.823,
7: Craig Coxhell (Kawasaki) +45.755,
8: Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +48.406,
9: Jon Kirkham (Kawasaki) +48.446,
10: Karl Harris (Honda) +49.815.
Race Two Results: 1: Haslam 26:34.675,
2: Lavilla +5.859,
3: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +19.928,
4: Hill +23.784, 5: Harris +24.399,
6: Steve Plater (Rizla Suzuki) +29.053,
7: Michael Laverty (Honda) +29.668,
8: Ben Wilson (Suzuki) +39.079,
9: Richards +40.892,
10: Billy McConnell (Yamaha) +41.569.
Championship Standings after 11 of 13 rounds: 1: Haslam 352,
2: Lavilla 337,
3: Kiyonari 326,
4: Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki) 211,
5=: Harris, Rea 192,
7: Laverty 152,
8: Hill 151,
9: Michael Rutter (Honda) 138,
10: Richards 104,
16: Steve Plater (Rizla Suzuki) 37,
17: James Haydon (Rizla Suzuki) 36.
Related Linkswww.rizla-suzuki.co.uk
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