Bogey circuits out of the way for charging Shane Byrne

British Superbike Championship leader Shane Byrne says he’s ultra confident for the second half of the season with the circuits he likes the least already out of the way in the first six race weekends of the year.

Despite admitting he hasn’t liked all the circuits visited since April, Byrne has only dropped 20 points all season.

And although the Kent-born rider starts the second half of the year with a 97 point lead over closest rival Cal Crutchlow in the title race, he says there’s still a lot of work to do to take the number one plate.

He said: “It’s been good to have a couple of weeks off since the last round at Mallory Park but I can’t wait to get back on the Airwaves Ducati 1098R!

“To have a 97 point lead at the halfway point of the season is a great feeling but all of us at Airwaves Ducati are aware that there’s still a lot of hard work ahead in order to finish the job and win the championship.

“All of the circuits on the British Superbike calendar that I don’t like are now out of the way and the second half of the season kicks off at Oulton Park where I secured my first double win for the Airwaves Ducati team so I’m feeling really confident.

“However I know I need to stay focused and just take each race one at a time.”

Team-mate Leon Camier also had a good showing last time around at Oulton, stepping onto the podium in both races.

And after taking his first ever BSB win at Snetterton two rounds ago, the 21-year old says the top step of the podium is his aim in order to retake second in the championship behind Shakey.

“I am really looking forward to racing at Oulton Park again,” said Camier.

“Not only did I secure my first two podium finishes of the season here back in May, but the improvements we’ve made to the settings of the Airwaves Ducati should really help us, particularly in the slower sections.

“Another two podium finishes would be ideal in helping me to regain second in the championship but of course my goal is to stand on the top step of the podium once again for the Airwaves Ducati team.”