BSB: Byrne closes gap to two points after Haslam disaster

Just two points separate Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam ahead of this afternoon’s MCE British Superbike championship finale after a dramatic penultimate race at Brands Hatch.

With crowds packed into the Kent circuit under the rare October sunshine, Byrne rocketed off the line behind polesitter Brookes and series leader Haslam and it wouldn’t take the Be Wiser Ducati star long to break through taking the lead into the third lap.

Struggling to hit apexes from the early stages, it was clear Haslam had some kind of issue as he slowly began to drift back to the back. Dropping as low as 13^th at one point, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki man was helped by several retirements as he moved back up to tenth.

Christian Iddon, strong in yesterday’s opening race, took second ahead of a hard charging James Ellison, who completed the rostrum for McAMS Yamaha.

TOP STORIES

• Kawasaki poised to reveal Ninja H2-powered super-tourer
• BSB: Haslam: ‘I have to pick my fights’
• Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show 2018
• Video: Protect your bike this winter
• Officially the coolest kid on the block

Josh Brookes, who remains in title contention some 22 points off Haslam, finished fourth ahead of the leading Honda of Jason O’Halloran and Peter Hickman, who moves ahead of Jake Dixon in the standings with the RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki failing to finish.

Glenn Irwin took seventh for Be Wiser Ducati ahead of Michael Laverty with Dan Linfoot bringing it home ahead of Haslam in ninth.

The final race gets underway at 16:00 local time. 

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.