Brands Hatch BSB: Shane Byrne wins race two

HM Plant Honda rider Shane Byrne won the seond BSB race of the weekend in damp conditions at Brands Hatch this afternoon.

Byrne was gifted the lead when race leader Michael Laverty crashed at Druids on lap two, from there Byrne pulled away from the following riders. Laverty rode his bike to the pits, and rejoined on lap 10 in an attempt to post a fast lap for a grid position in race three.

Championship leader John Hopkins suffered a technical problem on the opening lap, but was able to get his Suzuki GSX-R1000 started again and rejoined the race last. Hopkinsmade his way through the field, to eventually finish in 12th and keep his championship lead by two points going into the final race of the season.

Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill got caught up in a battle with Hopkins’ team-mate early on in the race, with the pair touching several times. Kirkham pulled away from Hill and closed the gap to leader Byrne.

Hill looked comfortable in third place, but towards the end of the race was unable to hold off SMT Honda rider James Ellison, who passed Hill going into the final lap.

Hopkins and Hill are now the only riders who can win the championship, after Josh Brookes also crashed at Paddock Hill on lap three. The Australian ran a little wide and hit a damp patch.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race two result:

    Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda)
    Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +1.150s
    James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +11.994s
    Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +12.825s
    Chris Walker (Pr1mo Racing Kawasaki) +23.993s
    Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +27.829s
    Tommy Bridewell (Motorpoint Yamaha) +29.403s
    James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +40.713s
    Dan Linfoot (Tyco Honda) +46.981s
    Karl Harris (Splitlath Aprilia) +49.918s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings ahead of the final race:

    John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 629
    Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 627
    Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 600
    Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 590
    Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 588
    Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 521