Brands Hatch BSB: Byrne seals crown with double win

Shane Byrne has taken the 2014 MCE British Superbike title in style by finishing off his weekend at Brands Hatch with a double victory after lifting the crown after the first race of the day.

Byrne was able to make an early break in the race, fending off the attentions of James Ellison and Tommy Bridewell in second and third until a red flag brought a premature end to the weekend and handed him the win.

Bridewell, who took third in the title with the podium finish, was able to keep Stuart Easton on the second of the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and his Milwaukee teammate Josh Brookes back in fourth and fifth.

Speaking after winning the second race, Shakey said: “The circumstances in which I won it weren’t ideal. I would have dearly loved for Kiyo to be out there with me and to try and fight with him over these three races. We had a tiny points advantage over him and only he and I that could win the championship. The fitting thing was that the two of us had both won three before so whoever did win it was going to be the first rider to ever win four.”

“I have to say a massive thanks to Paul Bird Motorsport and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki, to my personal sponsors, my beautiful wife and my children and everybody that’s been a part of this championship. Like I said I can’t say enough how sorry I am that Kiyo’s not here, and how we couldn’t win it fair and square with the two of us going for it, but at the end of the day you can only race who’s on the track and I raced those guys and beat them to take the title so I’m delighted.”