Rate it!

0 votes

Byrne won the first race on his Airwaves Ducati ahead of HM Plant Honda's Leon Haslam and Rizla Suzuki man Tom Sykes with Hydrex Bike Animal Honda's James Ellison fourth.

He then moved down the inside of Haslam in the second race with only two laps remaining, leading the local boy home ahead of Haslam's team-mate Cal Crutchlow.

Byrne now leads the championship with 190 points from Crutchlow, who has 122. Airwaves Ducati's Leon Camier, who finished fifth and fourth, is third with 107 while Haslam has 96 and Ellison 88.

In race one Byrne led from start to finish while Haslam, seeking to get his title bid back on track on his home circuit, was eighth on the opening lap but battled his way through the field.

He passed Sykes on lap three and was fifth when the safety car was deployed on lap eight after Luke Quigley's machine caught fire. After two laps the safety car was withdrawn with Byrne leading from Crutchlow, Karl Harris, Ellison and Haslam.

By lap 15, Haslam had moved to second to claim his first podium of the season as team-mate Crutchlow dropped back. The final lap saw Harris lose a possible podium finish as he went wide allowing Sykes and Ellison to pass.

Byrne said: "That was a difficult race with the conditions but I got a sensible start and was able to pull a gap and then the safety car came out. I spent most of the time behind the safety car trying to work out how I was going to break them all over again.

"But I did some good lap times and I was able to get ahead. The wind was really bad on the last lap, as I exited Redgate Corner the wind caught my front wheel and I had to pick the bike up but I am happy to give another good result to the Airwaves Ducati team."

Things were not quite so simple in the next race for Byrne. He struggled to get away at the start as Ellison took the lead with Haslam rampant behind him.

Sure enough, Haslam went past Ellison at McLeans and looked a nailed-on winner, while Crutchlow, Ellison, Camier and Byrne fought it out for the places behind him.

However Byrne shot past Camier at the Melbourne Loop then put a move on Ellison to go third and move into position behind the HM Plant Hondas.

Three laps later, on lap 17, Byrne took on Crutchlow at the Melbourne Loop and made it a hat-trick of successful passes at the corner when he dived down the inside of Haslam before keeping his line tight to maintain the lead over the finish line.

Byrne said: "That really was a long hard race and I didn't make it easy for myself. It was just a case of picking people off at the right places. I knew I could set the fast laps consistently.

"I must admit that the last pass on Leon was one of those where you shut your eyes and go for it."

Haslam said: "Once I was in the lead I tried to keep setting consistent laps and then with three laps to go I could hear the Ducati behind me. When Shakey came past I just couldn't get him back, he had just timed it perfect.

"I am happy that I have finally been able to give the HM Plant Honda team my first double podium. I am now looking forward to Snetterton as I think that circuit will suit the Honda Fireblade."

Eurosport