The MCE British Superbike Championship heads over to Assen this weekend and Shane Byrne is focused on extending his winning run.
Byrne travels to The Netherlands with a 27-point lead after picking up a double victory last time out at Donington Park.
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 BSB visits to date.
The 39-year-old has nine victories to his name so far in 2016 and is targeting two more this weekend.
He said: “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!”
Byrne’s teammate, Glenn Irwin, is aiming to bounce back at Assen where he scored a podium in the British Supersport Championship race last year.
Irwin said: “I’m really looking forward to Assen and learning the place on a Superbike. It’s hard to set a goal but I want to be competitive, although I’m currently laid up in a hospital bed as I’m
recovering from a blood infection.
“It’s something that I believe had set in at Donington Park after my Oulton Park crash as my fatigue didn’t match my fitness levels. It will be good to be fully fit again as I want to put the bike up close with Shakey and ahead of some of our title rivals.”
The action in Assen gets underway this Friday with the opening two free practice sessions.
