Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is aiming to continue his good form in the showdown as the MCE British Superbike Championship heads to its annual round at Assen.
At Donington Park last weekend, the 39-year-old Londoner scorched to a double victory on the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R in the opening round of the title-deciding Showdown rounds for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team and is brim-full of confidence ahead of the only continental round of the world’s most competitive domestic Superbike series.

Four-times champion Byrne has endured mixed fortunes at the Dutch track over recent years but has won twice and scored a further two podiums on the four visits to date so is keen to extend his advantage over his Title Fighter rivals. Shakey is the form rider of 2016 with nine wins so far to take his career tally to an amazing 77 as he heads for an unprecedented fifth crown.

Speaking ahead of the weekend,  Byrne added: “We started the Showdown in the best possible way with a double win which has given us a 27-point lead in the championship. However 27 points might as well be none as one technical failure or slip off in a race is 25 potential points gone so it’s very important that we keep our heads down, work hard and approach this weekend exactly the same as any other.

“My aim as always is to try to fight for two wins and if we do this, then perfect. If for whatever reason we don’t achieve this, we need to try to minimise the loss of points to our rivals. Either way, I can’t wait to go racing!”

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