BSB: Byrne wins sixth title as brake failure halts Haslam

Shane Byrne has been crowned 2017 MCE British Superbike Champion after a dramatic season finale at Brands Hatch saw rival Leon Haslam crash out of contention.

Byrne had reduced Haslam’s lead to just two points ahead of the final race, but the JG Speedfit Kawasaki man was doing exactly what he needed to ahead of Byrne in fifth place in the early stages of the race.

However, disaster would then strike for Haslam who would crash out of the race after a reported brake failure on his ZX-10RR.

With Haslam out, the title fight wasn’t completely over as Josh Brookes took control at the front of the race. If Brookes won, he could win the title if Byrne finished any lower than 11th and with Byrne back in eighth place it was a remote possibility.

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But the Be Wiser Ducati star played it safe, crossing the line to take a record sixth crown and his first back-to-back title.

Brookes took his third win of the season to move second in the overall standings with Jason O’Halloran and James Ellison completing the podium.

Christian Iddon finished fifth for Tyco BMW ahead of Peter Hickman, with Dan Linfoot, Byrne, Bradley Ray and Richard Cooper rounding out the top ten. 

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