Cal Crutchlow powered through the pain barrier to take third place and a victory in the third round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

The HM Plant Honda rider sustained a dislocated right ankle and ligament damage in a recent crash but was passed fit to race after lengthy treatment by the Coventry City physio and series medics.

Former champion Shane Byrne won the opening race by almost two seconds from Rizla Suzuki rider Tom Sykes with Crutchlow just adrift.

In the second race, after team-mate Leon Haslam had run wide while leading, Crutchlow moved ahead.

The intervention of the safety car while Malcolm Ashley was treated after a heavy crash bunched the pack, with Byrne and Sykes just behind Crutchlow.

As racing resumed for real, the engine of Sykes' bike blew up, spraying oil across the track and bringing out the red flags.

RACE ONE

1- Shane Byrne (Ducati)

2- Tom Sykes (Suzuki) +1.855

3- Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +3.111

4- Leon Haslam (Honda) +3.887

5- Leon Camier (Ducati) +4.996

RACE TWO

1- Cal Crutchlow (Honda)

2- Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.110

3- Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.748

4- Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +2.221

5- Michael Rutter (Ducati) +2.906

Championship standings: 1-Byrne 140, 2-Crutchlow 96, 3-Camier 83, 4-Rutter 66, 5-James Ellison 64.

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Sporting Life / Eurosport