If there was an award for the ride of the day in Portimao today, then it would have to go to Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who managed to put his Team Sterilgarda Ducati 1098 in second spot, just behind championship contender Ben Spies.
Byrne was seventh in Qualifying 2 ahead of the Superpole this morning and admitted that he’s never pushed so hard during Superpole as he did today.
“I was never this close to a crash as I was today. I gave 110%, I rode to the limit and I set a very good time.”
As the championship goes down to the wire around him, Byrne was setting his sights on the top spot tomorrow.
“I’m confident for tomorrow, it’s going to be a battle for the title and I’ll try to give it my all. I’ll have to get a good start and be constantly focused because many riders are going very fast and it’s definitely not going to be an easy one. I just hope to end the season with a great result.”
If Byrne should make it to the podium it’ll be his second this year after coming in second in Misano.
